In a daredevil act on Thursday night, the burglars broke through the 14-inch thick backyard wall of the unguarded Vijaya Bank branch at Chikkajala on the road to the new airport, broke down a door and gained access to the strong room. In the end, they made away with Rs 22 lakh in cash and gold worth Rs 50 lakh from lockers.
Police sources said the thieves used undergarments to cover the three CCTV cameras installed in the backyard, before entering the single storey independent building on the main road.
“The burglary seems to have taken place at 11:30 pm. And in a short time, the gang of some four to five thieves have accomplished the job,” said police investigators. The thieves damaged the four CCTV cameras installed inside the bank, threw out loads of records, an iron rack and other material. They broke down a door that led them to the strong room. They also cut off electricity supply to the siren.
They broke through a wall to gain access to boxes stashed with cash and gold and fled with the booty, according to the police. Attempts to retrieve whatever images possible from the CCTV have reportedly yielded at least three images.
At least four burglary attempts have been made in the past at the same branch.
Police sources said the bank had ignored several suggestions to deploy security guards and install a strong security mechanism.
The Chikkajala police are investigating.
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