In a shocking incident, unidentified thieves targeted two State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs in Hudco, Bhilai and one near the railway level crossing in Borsi Colony during the early hours of Sunday. The thieves managed to break open the ATMs and escaped with a significant amount of cash. The daring robbery took a more sinister turn as the culprits set the kiosks on fire after completing their theft. Local authorities swung into action swiftly, with the Bhilai Nagar police erecting barriers and launching a widespread search operation to apprehend the criminals behind this audacious crime. However, despite their efforts, no breakthrough has been reported as of the time of filing this report.

 

The police sources revealed that the theft occurred at two separate locations – near Shri Ram Chowk and at Milan Chowk. The thieves brazenly broke into the ATMs, making away with an estimated cumulative value of Rs 7 lakh. CCTV footage from the scene captured three individuals, their faces concealed with masks, arriving at the ATMs in a car. Following the robbery, they fled the scene at high speed, leaving authorities with a critical lead to pursue. Vishwa Deepak Tripathi, CSP of Bhilai Nagar Police Subdivision, disclosed that special teams have been formed to investigate the matter. These teams, including members of ACCU and Civil teams, are conducting raids across potential hideouts of the criminals. Furthermore, extensive checks are being carried out at railway stations, bus stands, hotels, lodges, and slum areas in an attempt to locate the individuals captured in the CCTV footage.

 

Mani Shankar Chandra, CSP of the Durg Police Subdivision, revealed that the incident came to light during routine checks. Swiftly responding to the situation, the police launched a thorough investigation into the matter. The sequence of events as per the timeline suggests that the trio of culprits made their way to the nearby Hudco area after successfully executing the theft at the SBI ATM in Borsi Colony. The police are working in collaboration with SBI ATM Channel officials to determine the exact value of the stolen cash. As of now, the total sum remains unconfirmed. The investigation is ongoing, and local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to the authorities. This audacious robbery has left the community shocked and concerned about the security of ATMs in the area. Authorities are under pressure to swiftly apprehend the culprits and restore a sense of safety to the citizens of Bhilai.