Hazaribag: In a broad daylight heist, four armed criminals looted gold worth around Rs 2 crore and Rs 4 lakh in cash from a public sector bank branch at Barhi in the district on Friday, police said.
Details of the Robbery
Barhi SDPO Ajit Kumar Bimal stated that the robbers entered the bank around 3 pm on the pretext of opening a current account and held everyone inside at gunpoint. In about 20 minutes, they decamped with the cash and gold, taking advantage of the fact that there was no security guard.
Police said the robbers arrived on two motorcycles. Two of them were wearing helmets, while one had covered his face with a mask and another with a cloth. They also cut the wires of the CCTV cameras at the branch.
Assault on Staff and Escape
Sources said that two robbers first held branch manager Ajay Ram at gunpoint after assaulting him. Later, two others entered and took another three bank staff at gunpoint. Deputy manager Roshan Singh was also overpowered and forced to take the robbers to the cash counter. All the bank staff were later locked inside a room.
Discovery of the Incident
The incident came to light when a customer, Mithilesh Singh, reached the bank and noticed that the shutter was half-closed. Suspecting something was amiss, he informed building owner Satyendra Singh, who immediately pulled down the shutter and alerted police. Deputy manager Roshan Singh informed police about the loot of gold and cash. The branch had started operations around seven to eight months ago.
Police Investigation
Hazaribag SP Aman Kumar said, “Fingerprint and forensic teams were deployed to collect evidence. We have set up checkpoints at multiple locations and sealed roads leading to neighbouring Bihar. They will be nabbed soon. We have also alerted our counterparts in Gaya.”
