An attempt to loot an ATM counter in Champua area of Keonjhar district by some miscreants was foiled by an alert local in the wee hours of Sunday night.
As per reports, a group of four to five miscreants came in an SUV to the SBI ATM at Chimla under Champua police limits at about 2 am on Sunday.
They started damaging the structure with the intention of looting the cash. At that time, a resident staying nearby heard the sound of the damaging act and came out.
On seeing the person, the miscreants fired into the air, abused him in Hindi and warned him against coming closer.
They informed Champua police about it. Police rushed to the spot but by that time the miscreants had fled from the spot taking away the batteries of the ATM.
Police started an investigation into the ATM loot bid. Police immediately blocked and checked vehicles at several places, but the exercise was futile.
It was suspected that the miscreants might have escaped into Jharkhand taking the Godhuli route.