Alert Worker Thwarts ATM Robbery Attempt in Pune's Karandi Village
In a dramatic incident near Pune, a vigilant worker at a tyre shop successfully foiled an attempt to steal a cash dispensing machine from an unmanned ATM kiosk. The event unfolded in Karandi village, located near Shikrapur, approximately 40 kilometers from Pune, during the early hours of Tuesday.
Timely Intervention Prevents Major Theft
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 2:30 AM when the worker, stationed at a tyre shop adjacent to the ATM kiosk, was awakened by a loud thud. Upon investigating the noise, he discovered that the ATM kiosk had been forcibly broken and was being dragged away using a pickup truck. Five individuals were spotted near the vehicles, who immediately threatened the worker with severe consequences.
Displaying remarkable presence of mind, the worker retreated into the shop and promptly alerted the owner of the establishment where the kiosk was situated. The owner, who resides nearby, rushed to the scene along with other local residents. The sudden gathering of people caused the thieves to abandon their plans and flee the area, leaving behind both the cash dispensing machine and the pickup truck.
Stolen Vehicle and Police Investigation
The Pune rural police, upon arriving at the spot, conducted a preliminary investigation and made a startling discovery. The pickup truck used in the attempted robbery had itself been stolen from Nhavare village in Shirur taluka during the early hours of Monday. A 53-year-old farmer, who owned the vehicle, had already filed a complaint with the Shirur police on the same day.
Inspector Deepratan Gaikwad of the Shikrapur police provided crucial details about the case. "There was Rs 1.5 lakh in the machine and the entire amount is intact," he confirmed, highlighting that the timely intervention prevented any financial loss. The cash dispensing machine, situated along the Shikrapur-Chakan road in Karandi village, belongs to a white label operator—a setup owned and managed by companies other than banks. In this instance, the ATM is operated by a private company based in Bengaluru.
Ongoing Police Efforts to Apprehend Culprits
Despite immediate search operations conducted by the police team, the accused managed to escape. Inspector Gaikwad stated, "Our team reached the spot immediately and carried out searches for the accused, but they escaped." In response, the police have initiated a thorough investigation to track down the perpetrators.
Two dedicated teams have been formed to trace the accused, and authorities are actively working on several clues gathered from the scene. The incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and swift action in preventing crimes, especially in areas with unmanned facilities like ATM kiosks.
This foiled robbery attempt serves as a reminder of the risks associated with unmanned ATMs and the critical role that alert citizens can play in maintaining security. The Pune rural police continue their efforts to ensure the safety of such installations and bring the culprits to justice.
