Gang robs lakhs from 3 ATMs in Kerala, flee to TN in truck; one suspect shot dead by Namakkal police
Upon receiving a specific alert from the Kerala Police that the burglars had escaped in a car and then in a container truck, the Namakkal police stepped up vehicle checks.
Police personnel take a member of a gang suspected to have been involved in ATM heist in Kerala's Thrissur (Photo: PTI)
COIMBATORE: A suspect in an ATM heist was gunned down and another injured after police opened fire in self-defence when they attempted to escape after attacking the cops in Namakkal on Friday. They were part of a seven-member gang from Haryana nabbed after a hot chase in a filmy style, when they attempted to escape through Namakkal, after looting around Rs 65 lakh from three ATMs of a nationalised bank in Thrissur, Kerala in the early morning hours.
The gang had emptied three State Bank of India ATMs in Thrissur –- at Mapranam, Shornur Road, and Kolazhy areas — by breaking them open with gas cutters within two hours from 2 am to 4 am, and made away with around Rs 65 lakh in cash.
On receiving a specific alert from Kerala police that burglars had escaped in a car and then in a container truck, the Namakkal police stepped up vehicle checks. They had concealed the car inside the container to evade arrest.
Around 8.45 am, the truck jumped a vehicle check at Komarapalayam and sped towards Sankagiri, but returned and took the Veppadai Road. In their desperate bid to escape, the rashly driven truck rammed into a car and two two-wheelers leaving one injured.
An accused caught; Cash found strewn around; Police searching container truck; container truck used by thieves
After a hot chase for over an hour, the police teams intercepted the truck near ‘Sanniyasipatti’ on Pallipalayam Road. Of them, four persons were taken in a jeep by police while Jumaanudeen, 40 drove the truck to the police station with police escort.
En route near ‘Thoppukadu’ around 10.45 am, the truck was stopped on hearing a heavy sound from inside the container. “Jumaanudeen, who was behind the wheels, was asked to open the container. Only then it was revealed that two persons were hiding inside the container. Suddenly, one of them, Azar Ali, 28 jumped out and attempted to escape with a bag full of cash after attacking the inspector with a small weapon. Then, Jumaanudeen also took to his heels,” said Salem Zone DIG ES Uma.
As they attempted to run by a stream, Jumaanudeen slipped and fell. “When a sub-inspector attempted to secure him, he attacked and forced him down. It was then that the inspector, who was trailing them, opened fire with his pistol in self-defence. He also shot in the leg of Azar Ali after he hurled stones,” the official added.
The injured robber was admitted to a hospital in Erode Government Hospital and then to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for treatment while police are interrogating five others.
“An inquiry is underway to know if they were linked to any other gangs involved in similar ATM break-ins in Tamil Nadu. They particularly targeted SBI ATMs, which they claim are usually loaded with cash. They arrived as two teams; in a container to unload goods and another in a car, before joining together while escaping after the loot. They reached Thrissur by checking the presence of SBI ATMs through Google Maps,” the DIG said.
Police identified five other accused persons as Irfan, Shabir Khan, Sowheen, Mohammed Ikram and Mubarik. DIG ES Uma and Namakkal district Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kannan visited Inspector Thavamani and sub-inspector Ranjith who were injured in the attack and undergoing treatment in Pallipalayam Government hospital.
The body of the deceased had been kept for a post-mortem in the same hospital. A special team of police from Thrissur had arrived in Namakkal to conduct an inquiry.
Gang suspected to be involved in ATM heists in Krishnagiri
Coimbatore: A special team of police from Krishnagiri have joined the investigation to probe if the burglars were involved in a slew of ATM break-ins in Krishnagiri.
On 15 September, a nationalised bank ATM on Kuppam National Highways was broken and Rs 23 lakh looted by a suspected north Indian gang. In the first week of April, an ATM of the same nationalized bank on Krishnagiri-Bengaluru NH in Kurubarapalli was looted of Rs 10 lakh. And, in June, an ATM of a private bank in Hosur was looted Rs 14.5 lakh. Also, a burglary attempt was made in three ATMs in Hosur.
“We suspect the role of the gang from Haryana in ATM break-ins in Krishnagiri as their modus operandi looks similar. In all their break-ins, they have sprayed a similar type of black ink on the camera inside the ATMs,” said an official.
A police team led by Krishnagiri Superintendent of Police P Thangadurai has been interrogating the accused persons.
REAL ENCOUNTER: HOW IT UNFOLDED
2 am to 4 am: Suspects strike at three ATMs in Kerala
Around 6 am: Police step up vehicle checks in Namakkal on Kerala police tip-off 8.45 am to 9 am: A police team led by Tiruchengode DSP Imayavaramban attempts to stop a container at Komarapalayam
Around 10 am: After more than an hour’s chase, police intercept them at Sannyasipatti
Around 10.45 am: Truck stopped near ‘Thoppukadu’ en route police station following a loud sound from inside the container
Around 11 am: One shot dead, another injured as police opened fire in self-defence when they attempted to escape
