Karimnagar: Burglars targeted two State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs in Karimnagar district in the early hours of Sunday, damaging the machines with gas cutters and fleeing with cash, police said.
The two incidents took place at Durshed under the Karimnagar Rural Police Station limits and at Thimmapur under the LMD Police Station limits. The entire operation was captured on CCTV cameras.
At the Durshed ATM, the burglars allegedly sprayed a liquid on the CCTV cameras before breaking open the machine. Police said CCTV footage indicated the involvement of a woman in the crime.
According to preliminary findings, two persons, including a woman, arrived at the Durshed ATM in a car and entered the ATM room at around 3.30 a.m. The accused were reportedly wearing caps, spectacles, gloves and masks to conceal their identities.
After damaging the ATM, the burglars allegedly took away Rs 8 lakh in cash. The exact amount stolen from the second ATM at Thimmapur was not immediately known.
SBI alert triggers police response
The SBI office in Delhi reportedly received an alert regarding the burglary at the Durshed ATM and subsequently informed local bank authorities.
Police registered two separate cases and launched an investigation. Special teams have been formed to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the two crime scenes and collecting other clues. Police have also found that the offenders used a vehicle registered in Maharashtra.
Authorities are analysing CCTV footage from toll plazas to trace the vehicle’s route and determine the suspects’ movements after the burglary.
Growing concern over ATM burglaries
The Karimnagar incidents have once again highlighted the challenge posed by ATM burglaries in Telangana.
In May, thieves reportedly targeted an SBI ATM in Mahabubnagar town and escaped with Rs 2.30 lakh. Three burglars allegedly used a gas cutter to break open the ATM and completed the operation in about seven minutes.
In that case too, the offenders reportedly damaged CCTV cameras and other equipment at the ATM centre before fleeing in an SUV without a number plate.
With similar incidents being reported, police officials have been holding meetings with bank authorities and urging them to strengthen security arrangements at ATM centres.
Investigators in the latest Karimnagar cases are continuing efforts to identify the suspects and trace the vehicle used in the crime.
