Chalakudy bank robbery suspected to be premeditated; police obtain crucial lead about suspect

THRISSUR: The police have intensified their investigation to track down the suspect involved in the robbery at the Chalakudy Potta branch of Federal Bank. They suspect that the bank robbery was premeditated. The robbery took place around 1:30 PM, a time chosen strategically when bank employees were out for lunch. This suggests that the suspect had a thorough understanding of the bank’s operations.

The suspect arrived on an NTorq scooter. Although Rs 45 lakh was available at the cash counter, the robber took only Rs 15 lakh. This, too, is considered a crucial lead in the case, said Thrissur Rural SP B. Krishnakumar. The police stated that the suspect completed the robbery within two and a half minutes and fled. Intensive checks are being conducted on all major roads, and authorities are confident that the suspect will be caught soon. Police have recorded the statements of the bank employees present at the time of the robbery. None of them attempted to resist the helmet-clad attacker. Authorities have obtained clear leads about the suspect, who was reportedly speaking in Hindi, the SP revealed.

CCTV footage shows the robber arriving on a scooter with a concealed number plate, wearing a helmet, jacket, and gloves. It is believed that the suspect was aware of the bank’s lack of security personnel and the absence of CCTV cameras in nearby establishments. According to the CCTV footage, the robber entered the bank, threatened two employees with a knife, and demanded to know where the cash was kept. After locating the money, the suspect locked the employees inside the bank’s restroom before escaping. The footage also indicates that the suspect fled towards Thrissur. Following the bank employees’ alert, senior police officials, including the Rural SP, arrived at the scene to investigate.