Bangalore : A seven-member gang escaped with a State Bank of India (SBI) automated teller machine (ATM) at Bagalur in Bangalore North taluk, on Monday. The ATM was loaded with around Rs 24 lakh, said the police.
Lack of security measures and delay in appointing guards led to the incident, police said. Unlike other counters, the ATM was not fixed to the floor. The police suspected an insiders involvement as only those who had handled the machine would know that the ATM was detached. The exact loss was yet to be ascertained. Bank authorities claimed that the machine was loaded with Rs 25 lakh on Saturday. Customers withdrew over Rs 1 lakh on Saturday and Sunday, the police said.
The theft occurred between 1:25 am and 1:35 am. The camera was smashed exactly at 1:24 am, the officer said. The night patrol at the Bagalur Main Road grew suspicious as they could not spot the ATM inside the centre. They immediately contacted the bank manager to confirm whether there was an ATM in the counter.
The police have registered a case based on branch manager Gururajs complaint. Two special teams have been formed to arrest the suspects. The bank had an agreement with a private security agency to transport cash to the centre and load the ATM