Our Correspondent
TURA:
In an overnight heist, thieves targeted a State Bank of India ATM kiosk in Rongram, 15 kms from Tura, managing to steal over thirty lakh rupees, using gas cutters to breach the strongbox and safe.
The incident was discovered on the morning of December 21 when customers attempting to withdraw money found flames inside the kiosk. The ATM shutter was partially closed, with the machine dismantled and charred.
West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Abraham T Sangma, reported, “Bank officials are at the site with our police teams. According to the bank, it is suspected that more than 30 lakhs may have been stolen. They are currently doing an assessment to find out the exact figure.”
Authorities are not ruling out the involvement of a criminal gang. The thieves used gas-operated blow torches to cut through the steel safe containing the money. The criminals also took measures to disable CCTV cameras in the vicinity by blackening them with spray paint to avoid detection.
The targeted ATM, situated outside the Rongram Indian Oil petrol station, was under surveillance from CCTV cameras at the station and an adjacent motorcycle showroom. The nearest CCTV camera, belonging to the showroom, sustained damage from the spray.
Given the festive season with Christmas around the corner, increased road activity is observed, and it is suspected that the criminals seized the opportunity to blend in with the revelers, potentially posing as a group that was celebrating. And then they entered the ATM, lowering the shutters to commence their midnight operation.