Hyderabad ATM Cash Heist: Driver Flees with Rs 57 Lakh, Vehicle Found Abandoned
In a shocking incident in Hyderabad, the driver of a cash management company sped away with a staggering Rs 57 lakh in cash while his team was replenishing ATMs on Thursday evening. The brazen theft occurred in the Gopanpalli area, leaving authorities scrambling to track down the missing funds and the accused.
Abandoned Vehicle Discovered in Tellapur
According to latest reports from the Cyberabad police, investigators have located the transport vehicle abandoned in Tellapur. However, both the substantial cash amount and the driver, identified as Ajith alias Shiva, remain missing. Police have formed special teams dedicated to tracing the accused and recovering the stolen money.
How the Theft Unfolded
Police detailed the sequence of events that led to the theft. The cash management company had deployed four personnel for the ATM replenishment operation: two cash custodians, a security guard, and the driver. When the team arrived at an Axis Bank ATM center in Gopanpalli, the cash custodians entered the facility to perform their duties.
"The guard left the spot to attend nature's call. Seizing this opportunity, the driver, Ajith alias Shiva, escaped with the cash by speeding away in the transport vehicle," explained Gachibowli inspector Balraj.
When cash custodians Rama Krishna and Abdul Malik completed their work and exited the ATM center, they discovered the vehicle had vanished along with the driver and the substantial cash reserve.
Investigation Reveals Security Agency Connection
Further investigation revealed that both the driver and the guard, identified as Perumal, were employed by Sangam Securities Limited, a private security agency contracted by the cash management company. From the Gopanpalli location, Ajith drove directly to Tellapur where he abandoned the company vehicle.
Police confirmed that Ajith had been working with Sangam Securities for approximately six months prior to the incident. After abandoning the transport vehicle in Tellapur, the accused fled the scene with multiple bags containing the stolen cash.
"How he escaped from Tellapur is still being investigated," police officials stated, indicating this remains a crucial aspect of their ongoing inquiry.
Composition of Stolen Funds and Police Response
Of the total Rs 57 lakh stolen, approximately Rs 47 lakh represented various cash deposits made by customers. The remaining amount had been provided by the cash management company specifically for ATM replenishment purposes.
Authorities are actively reviewing CCTV footage from multiple locations to reconstruct Ajith's movements and identify potential escape routes or accomplices. A formal case has been registered based on a complaint filed by cash custodian Rama Krishna.
The Cyberabad police continue their intensive search operation, combining technological surveillance with traditional investigative methods to apprehend the suspect and recover the substantial stolen funds.
