Kerala Bank Heist of Rs 15 Lakh: Police Anticipate Breakthrough Soon
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Synopsis
Kochi, Feb 15 (NationPress) A daring bank heist occurred at the Federal Bank branch in Pota, near Chalakudy, Thrissur. Despite extensive police efforts, a breakthrough remains elusive; however, investigators are hopeful for a quick resolution.
Key Takeaways
- Rs 15 lakh was stolen during a bank robbery.
- The suspect was armed with a knife.
- CCTV footage is under investigation.
- Potential accomplices may be involved.
- Robber spoke in Hindi, possibly misleading investigators.
Kochi, Feb 15 (NationPress) Following a bold midday bank robbery at the Federal Bank branch in Pota, situated near Chalakudy in Thrissur, law enforcement is still working diligently to achieve a breakthrough despite their thorough efforts. Nevertheless, investigators remain optimistic about resolving the case shortly.
On Friday, an unknown individual wielding a knife invaded the branch and, in under three minutes, escaped with Rs 15 lakh after intimidating the bank personnel. The suspect was captured on CCTV arriving on a motorcycle, donning a helmet and jacket, and bearing a shoulder bag. He parked his vehicle right in front of the bank prior to entering.
Inside, he brandished the knife at two employees, coercing them into a cabin before shattering the glass panes of the cash counter using a chair. He subsequently seized cash from the counter’s cash box and fled.
However, what perplexes investigators is that, as per the bank staff, Rs 45 lakh—organized in nine bundles—was on the table, yet the assailant only took three bundles.
Police teams are reviewing the bank’s CCTV footage from the last month to ascertain whether the suspect had previously visited the branch.
Investigators are also examining footage obtained from 200 meters away, which depicts the suspect on his motorcycle, although the registration number remains obscured.
Authorities suspect that the perpetrator might have accomplices aiding him in the heist.
The two employees present during the incident reported that the robber communicated in Hindi. Police speculate that this could have been a calculated effort to mislead investigators into thinking he is not from Kerala.
Meanwhile, state BJP president K. Surendran has condemned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, labeling the robbery as yet another illustration of what he describes as the “breakdown of law and order” in Kerala.
