THRISSUR: The East police have collected evidence with the accused in the case of breaking down three ATMs in Thrissur and robbing Rs 69.43 lakhs. Nine ATM trays, a gas cutter, two gas cylinders and a digital video recorder abandoned after the robbery were recovered from the Thanikkudam River with the help of the fire force. These were found during evidence collection in connection with the robbery of the ATM on Shornur Road.

The search was conducted based on the statement of the accused that when they reached Thanikkudam through the police academy side after the robberies, they threw these objects into the river. A total of twelve trays were discarded. Three are yet to be found.

Irfan, Sabir Khan, Shaukeen Khan, Mohammad Ikram and Mubarak, all residents of Palwal in Haryana, were brought for evidence collection. The evidence collection was led by ACP Salish N Sankaran, East SHO MJ Jijo and SI Jino. Since the other two ATM robbery cases are at Irinjalakuda and Viyyur stations, evidence collection there will be done after handing over the accused into their custody.

Tied in a sack and dumped

1. Only the mastermind, Ikram, was first released from the police vehicle for evidence collection on the side of the Thanikkudam River. Ikram testified that he was driving the car.
2. Sabir Khan and Shaukeen Khan were also asked to step down from the vehicle for information.
3. The gas cutter and the gas cylinder were tied in a sack and dumped in the river.

ATMs broken by three people

Sabir Khan, Shaukeen Khan and another accused, Azhar Ali, were the ones who broke into the ATMs. The Kerala Police has not been able to take Azhar Ali into custody as he is being treated for gun firing by the Tamil Nadu police during the encounter while nabbing the accused.