A former bank employee, burdened by debts from online betting, attempted a robbery at the Bank of Baroda near ITI Junction in Marripalem, Visakhapatnam, by attacking two staff members with a hammer. The accused, identified as Y Ravikumar, had previously worked at the bank's Yelamanchili branch. He targeted the branch manager Sivaramaraju and cashier Ramesh.
Incident Details
According to Kancharapalem police, Ravikumar entered the branch around 8 pm on Wednesday. He conversed with the staff for nearly 20 minutes and noticed that only two employees were present. When the duo were placing pledged gold ornaments in a locker, he pulled a hammer from his bag and struck them in an attempt to steal the ornaments. The manager raised an alarm, forcing Ravikumar to flee. Police registered a case based on the bank's complaint and arrested him soon after.
Investigation and Motive
Preliminary investigation revealed that Ravikumar, a native of Ramabhadrapuram in Vizianagaram district, had lost over ₹60 lakh in online games and planned the theft to repay his debts. The injured staff members were shifted to a hospital in Vizag, where their condition is reported to be stable.
Background of the Accused
Ravikumar's financial troubles stemmed from his involvement in online betting, which led to significant losses. Unable to repay his debts, he resorted to criminal activity. The police are continuing their investigation to determine if there were any accomplices or if the accused had planned the robbery in advance.
Security Measures at Banks
This incident highlights the importance of security measures at banks, especially during late hours. Banks are advised to ensure that adequate staff and security personnel are present during all operating hours to prevent such incidents.
The police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities near bank premises. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
