Robbers strike at bank, loot cash, gold worth Rs 2 cr

In a daring heist, four masked burglars struck at Veera Pulikeshi Cooperative Bank at Kulageri Cross in Badami taluk on late Thursday night and made away with 12 kg gold ornaments and Rs 5.50 lakh cash, all worth over Rs 2 crore.

The burglars broke open the window grill and door of the strong room using gas cutters at midnight. After gaining entry into the bank, the burglars dismantled alarm system in the strong room and turned two CCTV cameras upward. The surveillance cameras have captured the four masked men entering the strong room of the bank, the police said.

The incident came to light on Friday morning when the staff came to the bank. The fingerprint experts and the dog squad were pressed into service.

In 2009, the burglars had made an attempt to loot the bank. Then, they had made away with an empty cash box. This time, the burglars struck gold.

The police suspect the involvement of inter-state thieves in the bank heist. IGP (North) H N Revanna, Superintendent of Police C B Ryshyanth and staff visited the spot. The Kerur police have registered a case.