The recent break-in at an ATM kiosk in Kollam has left the State police bracing for more such heists.
They suspect that an inter-State gang, still at large, had stolen ₹6.5 lakh from the machine located on a byroad at Kottiyam.
They fear the band could strike again.
Investigators said the theft was similar to several other ATM break-in cases reported in Kerala last year.
They could only solve a few so far.
In Kollam, the burglars had entered the kiosk at 3.30 a.m. on March 18. They used a blowtorch to cut open the machine after damaging the surveillance cameras.
The police said the team comprised expert welders who had cut into the sealed metal unit containing the cash without setting the currency afire.
The task required a measure of skill and experience. Investigators said the gang was highly mobile and travelled on stolen vans with fake registration numbers and operated across State borders with impunity.
Still in dark
A comparable break-in had occurred at an ATM kiosk in Kazhakuttam last year. The police were still in the dark about the case. More recently, burglars targeted ATMs in Thrissur and Palakkad with varying degrees of success.
In some cases, the thieves appeared to have abandoned their efforts in a hurry and fled the scene.
They mostly targeted ATMs in localities with not much movement of people and vehicles at night.
The police believe that at least 15 gangs specialising in ATM break-in were operating in the country.
The first clue about their activities came with the arrest of Suresh, a Keralite, by the Alappuzha police in 2017.
The police had arrested him in connection with an ATM break-in at Cherianad.
Investigators said they learned from him that one Asloop Khan of Mewat in Haryana headed the gang. Khan had worked for the New Delhi Police briefly and then deserted the force allegedly to pursue a more lucrative career in crime.
He was now high on the wanted list of the Kerala Police.
