Failed Bank Heist in Anakapalle Sends Shockwaves
In a brazen daylight incident, armed criminals attempted to rob a nationalised bank on Ring Road in Anakapalle town, Visakhapatnam, on Thursday afternoon. The attempt, however, ended in failure when the bank manager activated the emergency alarm, causing the miscreants to panic and flee the scene. The event triggered significant panic among both staff and customers present inside the bank at the time.
Sequence of Events and Police Response
According to police reports, a group of unidentified individuals, armed with what appeared to be pistols, entered the bank. They immediately threatened the bank employees and customers, attempting to orchestrate a loot. Their plans were swiftly thwarted when the alert bank manager managed to trigger the emergency alarm system. The sound of the alarm startled the assailants, who then abandoned their mission and escaped from the location.
Fortunately, there were no injuries to any person, and no property was lost during the entire episode. Following the incident, law enforcement agencies swiftly cordoned off the area. Specialized teams, including a dogs squad and a clues team, were deployed to the spot. These teams meticulously collected forensic evidence, including fingerprints, from the bank premises.
Investigation Points to Local Gang Involvement
Police are currently examining the CCTV footage retrieved from the bank and its surroundings to identify the intruders. Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a local gang, as the miscreants were seen arriving and fleeing the scene on motorcycles and appeared familiar with the locality's layout.
A key aspect of the probe is to ascertain the nature of the weapons used. Authorities are working to determine whether the gang used country-made firearms or mere toy guns to intimidate the bank staff and customers. The investigation is ongoing, with police pursuing several leads.
Past Incident in the Same District
This is not the first such incident in the Anakapalle district. In a similar event in April 2022, a helmet-wearing armed man entered the Grameena Vikas Bank's branch in Narasingabilli under Kasimkota mandal. In that case, the robber succeeded, threatening the cashier and making off with nearly Rs 3.3 lakh. He executed the entire robbery in less than two minutes. At that time, only one employee was present in the bank, and people in the vicinity remained unaware of the crime until police arrived at the spot.
The contrasting outcomes of these two incidents highlight the critical importance of prompt emergency response systems in deterring criminal activities. The police have intensified patrolling and are reviewing security protocols for financial institutions in the region.
