Daring Heist at SBI ATM in Patna Nets Thieves Rs 30 Lakh
In a bold early-morning robbery, unidentified criminals made off with approximately Rs 30 lakh from an unguarded State Bank of India ATM located near Dhibra More under the Shahpur police station area in Danapur, Patna. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, leaving authorities scrambling to piece together the details of the meticulously planned theft.
Precision Operation by Masked Trio
According to police reports, three masked men entered the ATM kiosk around 4 AM. Their first move was to spray paint on the CCTV cameras, effectively disabling the surveillance system to avoid detection. Armed with a gas cutter, the thieves then targeted the cash chamber, cutting open the safe compartment and fleeing with the stolen money within minutes.
A short video clip of the entire operation has surfaced online, providing clear visual evidence. The footage shows the trio wearing gloves and masks as they carried out the precision cut, captured in detail by the ATM's internal camera. This video is now a crucial piece of evidence for investigators working to identify the culprits.
Swift Police Response and Investigation
The SBI head office was immediately alerted after the ATM machine detected tampering. Bank officials promptly informed the police at both Danapur and Shahpur stations. Officers from both units rushed to the scene with their teams, but the thieves had already escaped just moments before their arrival.
Senior officers, including City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh and Danapur ASP Shivam Dhakad, reached the crime spot shortly afterward to oversee the investigation. A Forensic Science Laboratory team also visited the location, collecting vital evidence such as fingerprints and tool marks to aid in the probe.
Ongoing Efforts to Nab Culprits
City SP Bhanu Pratap Singh stated, "The exact amount of theft will be ascertained once the bank registers an FIR and conducts a formal audit, but preliminary confirmation points to a loss of nearly Rs 30 lakh." A dedicated special investigation team has been constituted under the leadership of the SHO of Shahpur police station to expedite the case.
Police are now examining the footage, checking nearby CCTV cameras, and pursuing technical leads to identify and apprehend the criminals. The City SP added, "We have initiated a thorough investigation and the case will be solved soon." Authorities remain confident that the combination of forensic evidence and video analysis will lead to a breakthrough in this high-stakes robbery.
