In a major security breach, thieves executed a daring overnight robbery at a cooperative bank in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, making off with a significant haul of gold and silver ornaments from customer lockers.
How the Sangli Bank Heist Unfolded
The audacious theft at the Sangli District Central Cooperative Bank's Zare branch was discovered by staff when the bank opened for business on Thursday. Preliminary investigations by the Atpadi police reveal a meticulously planned operation. According to Inspector Vinay Bahir from the Atpadi police station, the perpetrators gained entry by cutting through the iron bars of a window using a gas cutter.
Once inside, the thieves used the same tool to break open the locks of the safety deposit lockers. In a move to erase evidence of their crime, they also severed the bank's alarm system and stole the digital video recorder (DVR) of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, effectively blinding the investigation to their movements and identities.
The Staggering Scale of the Loss
Bank officials conducting an initial assessment reported a massive loss. The thieves successfully targeted 22 individual lockers. The stolen property includes approximately 7 kilograms of gold ornaments and 20 kilograms of silver items, whose total value is estimated to run into several crores of rupees. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many customers anxious about the safety of their valuables.
Investigation and Aftermath
The police have registered a case and launched a full-scale investigation into the sophisticated heist. The method of entry and the thieves' knowledge of the security systems, including the alarm and CCTV, are key areas of focus. This incident raises serious questions about the security protocols at cooperative banks, especially in rural and semi-urban branches.
Authorities are now scrutinizing the scene for forensic evidence and are likely to question bank employees and individuals in the vicinity. The theft highlights the vulnerability of safety locker systems and underscores the need for enhanced security measures, including modern alarms, 24/7 monitoring, and more robust physical barriers to prevent such brazen crimes in the future.
