CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu police busted a Haryana-based gang that used to target unmanned ATMs, and loot them using gas-cutters and welding machines. The gang, which used to travel in a truck, is suspected to have broken into many ATMs in several states including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
A diligent investigation, clutching on a stray ATM transaction done by a gang member, led police to the gang comprising Sajid, Arshad and Lukman and a juvenile from Nug and Mehwat areas of Haryana. Police seized the truck, Rs 45,000 in cash, mini-gas cylinder, and a welding equipment from them. While the three men were sent to jail, the juvenile was sent to a correctional facility. Police said Sajid has similar cases pending against him in Maharashtra. Arshad was involved in a few thefts in Haryana.
It all started with a spate of break-ins and burglary attempts at ATM kiosks in Tiruvallur and Arakkonam. A joint operation was conducted by Tiruvallur and Ranipet district police to track the gang behind the thefts.
On September 15, the gang attempted to steal cash from an ATM at Arambakkam. Based on specific tip off, police team rushed to the spot but the gang fled the scene after abandoning their vehicle near Elavur check-post.
On September 17, Rs 4 lakh stolen from an ATM at Arakkonam. Suspecting the same gang, that had abandoned the car and escaped at Elavur, police traced the car owner in Andhra Pradesh. They realised that it was a stolen car. However, while scanning the last successful transaction made at the same ATM, police found that money had been withdrawn from the same bank account by one of the suspects.
They then collected the account-holder’s details from the bank and found that a gang member, Sajid, had a mobile number. Using it, police tracked Sajid’s location and found that it matched with location of the burglary bid.
Police also found out that Sajid was aboard a truck near Gummidipoondi and its registration number was also retrieved. The CCTV camera footage confirmed he truck had travelled through all the three crime spots. On Friday, police found Sajid was moving towards Gummidipoondi. Police intercepted the truck and arrested all the four.
Police said the gang targeted only unmanned ATM kiosks in isolated locations. One suspect would walk into the ATM and apply spray foam on the CCTV camera eye before others looted it with a gas cutter.
