Major ATM Heist in Rahuri: Burglars Steal Over Rs 25 Lakh After Disabling Security
In a brazen early morning robbery, unidentified burglars targeted an automated teller machine (ATM) kiosk in Rahuri, Ahilyanagar, making off with more than Rs 25 lakh in cash. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, with the theft coming to light around 6 am.
Details of the Burglary and Police Response
The criminals first sprayed black paint on the CCTV cameras inside the ATM kiosk to avoid detection. They then used a gas cutter to cut open the cash dispenser machine, spending over half an hour inside the kiosk to execute the theft. The stolen cash amounted to approximately Rs 25.7 lakh, comprising 4,914 notes of Rs 500 and 1,100 notes of Rs 100.
Inspector Sanjay Thenge of the Rahuri police station confirmed that an FIR has been registered under BNS section 305(A) for theft. A team led by Inspector Thenge and Deputy SP Jaydatta Bhavar visited the spot to investigate. The ATM kiosk, located near the fire brigade office in front of the Sant Gadgebaba Ashram Shala in Rahuri town, was found to be without a security guard, and its security alarm was not functioning.
Investigation Challenges and Rising ATM Theft Trends
Police pressed a sniffer dog into service to track the criminals, but this effort did not yield any results. Inspector Thenge noted that the lack of security measures at the kiosk facilitated the burglary. This incident highlights a growing trend of ATM thefts in the region, where criminals are increasingly using gas cutters to break into cash dispensers and, in some cases, even managing to remove entire machines.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in this significant financial crime.
