Police probe money trail of ATM thieves

Police sources privy to the investigation said that the thieves had struck in more than 50 ATMs in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu alone, the thieves had targeted ATMs in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Theni and Pudukkottai districts in the recent times.

“Police from other states are calling us to inform about the ATM break-ins involving the gang members following the same modus operandi of cutting and opening the machines using gas cutters. They are likely to visit Coimbatore to grill the thieves.

One of the accused, Mubarak is also wanted in connection with a murder case in Rajasthan,” said a police officer.

As the gang members had looted money worth several crore in ATM break-ins, police are investigating their money trail. “We are also probing to know if the looted money has been used for any terrorist activity. Their gang leader, identified as Aslam had fled the state carrying the looted amount and a search is on for him,” police said.