MANNARGUDI
The Mannargudi police arrested four persons in connection with the robbery at the Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank branch at Asesham near here on Saturday.
Those arrested include an office assistant of the bank’s branch at Manaparai in Tiruchi district.
Besides cash totalling ₹2.58 lakh, two cars used for the crime, a pistol, a fake pistol and a digital video recording unit of the CCTV in the branch, where the crime was committed, were recovered from them.
Explaining the sequence of events that led to the arrest of the accused, Inspector-General of Police (Central Zone) V. Varadharaju told the media here that the investigation into dacoity at the bank on May 7 led to a particular car, which led the police to Thoothukudi. Muthukumar, 27, of Thoothukudi, who had driven the car to Mannargudi and back, was picked up.
Interrogation of Muthukumar revealed the role of Meeran Mohideen, 29, and Sudalaimani, 26. Finally, all of them pointed to the complicity of Maria Selvam, 35, who works as office assistant a the bank’s Manaparai branch.
Plan changed
Mr. Varadharaju said that while Maria Selvam was the kingpin, the police were on the lookout for two more persons who were involved in the crime. The investigation revealed that Maria Selvam planned to loot the Manaparai branch, but later decided to target the Mannargudi branch. The accused had done reconnaissance of the branch for two days before striking.
The Inspector-General thanked the members of the public who shared the CCTV footage with the police.
On May 7, four persons threatened the TMB Mannargudi branch staff with fire arms and looted ₹5.58 lakh in cash and 84 grams of gold jewellery.
