Hajipur, Dec 12: Four men travelling in a car allegedly broke into an SBI ATM in the early hours of Wednesday and looted ₹16 lakh after cutting open the machine with a gas cutter.
The crime occurred around 2 a.m. under the Sonepur police station area. With no guard on duty and the ATM shutter left partially open, the criminals found it easy to carry out the operation. Police said the men first sprayed black paint on all three CCTV cameras, rendering the booth completely blind. They then used a gas cutter to slice through the cash-dispensing machine, removed the cash box and fled within minutes.
By the time police arrived, the booth was filled with the smell of burnt metal. Investigators found that the ATM’s alarm system and key sensors meant to detect tampering had not been functioning, creating a major security gap that the gang exploited. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Kumar Ashish inspected the scene on Thursday morning and directed officers to crack the case at the earliest. Police suspect the involvement of a well-organized gang believed to be behind similar ATM thefts reported in the region in recent months.
An SBI forensic team from Patna examined the spot, collecting fingerprints, tool marks and other evidence. Meanwhile, police are scanning CCTV footage from nearby shops and residential areas to trace the getaway vehicle and identify the suspects. The probe is underway and officials said arrests are expected soon as pressure mounts on the police to restore public confidence in the area’s security.
