Bank robbery in broad daylight; no hint in CCTV footage also; Police hunting for robber in neighbouring states

CHALAKUDY: Police have not been able to trace the knife-wielding robber who looted a bank in broad daylight. It is believed that the thief fled to Angamaly. He was not using a mobile phone. DIG Harishankar told Kerala Kaumudi that more than 100 CCTV cameras, including those in shops and private institutions, have been examined.

The thief, wearing a helmet and gloves, robbed the Potta Federal Bank at 2.20 pm on Friday. No identification marks were found as he was wearing a full-sleeved dress and gloves. The investigation is hampered by the fact that the scooter's number plate was hidden. It is believed that the accused has accomplices.

The police are confident that they will be able to reach the accused soon. The investigation of the special team has been extended to neighbouring states. A team from the 28-member squad formed by the District Rural SP is conducting searches in Tamil Nadu. Four other teams are conducting inspections in various places in Kerala. The District Crime Squad and District State Special Branch teams are also cooperating with the investigation.

The investigation is also focusing on the robbers who were recently released from prison on parole and other occasions. The investigation team has recorded the statements of the bank employees. Information will be collected from them again if necessary. Fingerprint experts and a dog squad have conducted an examination, but no trace has been found.

Many mysteries

It is doubtful whether there is any mystery in the fact that the robbery, which took place in front of the bank employees in three minutes, was reported to the police after a delay of about 20 minutes. The police say that if the information had been received as soon as the assailant escaped from the bank, the accused could have been caught sooner. The fact that the robber stole only 15 lakhs from the counter despite 47 lakhs being present on the table also raises suspicions.