Tura, Dec 21: Robbers have broken into a state bank of India ATM kiosk at Rongram, 15 kms from Tura, and stolen over thirty lakh rupees by breaking through the strong box and safe using gas cutters on Wednesday night.
The theft was detected only during the early hours of the morning onThursday morning when customers went to the ATM to withdraw money and spotted flames inside.
They found the ATM shutter half closed and the machine ripped apart and burnt.
“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,” informed West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma.
The work of a sophisticated criminal gang is not being ruled out.
The criminals appear to have used gas operated blow torches to cut through the steel safe where the money was kept.
So sophisticated was the heist that the criminals even blackened the cctv cameras around the ATM using spray paint to avoid detection.
The ATM, located outside Rongram petrol station of Indian Oil was covered by cctv from the station and another pair of cctv from the adjoining motorcycle showroom.
The nearest cctv, belonging to the showrooom, was left damaged from the spray.
With Christmas round the corner, many revellers happen to be out on the roads driving through towns celebrating and it is suspected that the gang took advantage of that by posing as one such group before entering the ATM and downing the shutters to kickstart their midnight operation.
Read: CM Conrad Sangma spreads Christmas cheer with special kids from Mawkasiang’s Children Home
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