1,500 sovereign, Rs 19L looted from Palladam State Bank branch

The incident came to light on Monday morning, when the bank staff came after two days of holidays. Local people, including farmers, from several villages hold accounts, and have pledged their jewels with the bank, located in Kallipalayam area near Pongalur on Palladam-Dharapuram road.

The staff, who were shocked to see the window grills broken, immediately informed Avinashipalayam police. A police team, led by Superintendent of Police Disha Mittal, and other officials visited the bank and held inquiries. Finger print experts lifted chance prints and forensic experts looked for evidence.

Though the bank had CCTV cameras, there was no security guard even during night. Also, the bank did not have a compound wall and it was only fenced with iron barb, which the burglars had cut through. The burglars had also smashed the five CCTV cameras and snapped its wire before looting the bank, which is located in an isolated area.

“A few months ago, in October last year, the burglars had made a failed attempt to burgle the bank by entering the bank by breaking open the window grills. Then, the bank officials were insisted by the police to engage security guards. But, the bank failed to do so. We suspect the same gang to have involved in the offence,” said a cop.

Upon entering the bank, the burglars stole cash and jewels by breaking open the three locker rooms. The police have retrieved a glouse, more than 100 cutting blades and a pardah, suggesting that one of the accused had come wearing it. The police have retrieved images of two men from a CCTV camera fixed in another building in the neighbourhood while they were fleeing with huge bags containing jewels and cash. Six special teams have been formed to nab the culprits.