An unidentified person broke open a white-label ATM near Avadi and escaped with ₹4 lakh in cash on Friday.
White-label ATMs are set up, owned and operated by non-banking entities. One such equipment is located at the Kavanur junction in the Muthapudupet police station limits.
On Saturday morning, pedestrians noticed that the machine was damaged and alerted the police.
A team from the Muthapudupet police station inspected the site. “The machine was broken open using a welding device and the money was stolen from it,” said a police officer. When the police tried to check the CCTV camera footage, they found foam sprayed on the cameras.
“He knew where the cameras were and had ensured that the view is blocked, while he cut open the equipment,” said the police officer. Initially, the police thought it was the handiwork of a gang, but they were surprised when CCTV camera footage from a nearby building showed just one person walking into the kiosk.
Inside ATM for an hour
“Around 2 a.m., a man wearing a backpack is seen parking his motorcycle and walking into the kiosk. He remained inside for nearly an hour and then came out,” said the police officer.
Special teams formed
A special team has been formed to crack the case. “Unlike public sector banks, white-label ATMs do not have alarm systems. There are no guards. The ATM is situated on a bus route. People may not have heard the sound of the cutting machines due to the rain,” he said.
The police are collecting CCTV footage from the locality to track the suspect. “It must be someone who has visited the ATM earlier to do a recce, as he knew the premises well,” the officer said.
