The Sundergarh Police on Tuesday arrested the accused in a daring bank robbery following a dramatic chase and exchange of fire near Sankara.
Sources said the accused, who happens to be the son of a police officer, allegedly used his father’s service gun to loot Rs 15 lakh from Axis bank at Hospital road in Sundergarh.
As per preliminary reports, the accused gained entry into the bank at around 2:15 pm. He then perpetrated the loot by terrorising the staff at the cash counter by holding them on gun point. Sources said after committing the robbery, the accused made good his escape on a motorcycle which he took away by threatening the rider with the gun.
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“We initially thought he was a customer. Later, he pulled out a gun as he approached the cash counter and asked the staff to handover the cash. However, our staff raised an alarm and went out of the counter. Later, the accused managed to take away the cash from the cash box,” said L. Moharana, the bank’s Branch Manager.
Malli Bag, an eye-witness claimed he saw the accused escaping from the spot with a bag in his hand.
After receiving information about the loot, the Town Police sleuths swung into action. A police team managed to intercept the accused near Shankara road after a dramatic chase.
Sundergarh SP, Sagarika Nath said, “The accused fired one round at our team after he was surrounded. In the retaliatory firing, the accused got injured and was immediately shifted to a hospital.”
Nath said a detailed investigation will be carried out to ascertain the involvement of others, if any.
“The accused jumped to the terrace of my house after climbing a building in the neighbourhood. We informed police team who were on his trail. The policemen overpowered him after a brief exchange of fire,” said Ishwari Prasad Patel, another eye-witness.
When asked if the accused happens to be the son of a policeman, Nath said his credentials are verified. She said the firearm used in the crime and the looted cash have been recovered.