Masked robbers loot cash from two SBI ATMs in Boudh

Unidentified masked miscreants fled after looting lakhs worth of cash from two ATMs of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Badhigaon and Birnarasinghpur, both under Boudh police station limits, on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to sources, a gang of robbers wearing black masks targeted the two ATMs, situated about 20 kilometres apart from one another. Incidentally, shops along the stretch were closed owing to a local Makar Sankranti fair, which the miscreants reportedly took advantage of to carry out the robbery.

“A Makar Sankranti mela is held every year in this area and most of the residents throng the fest. Taking advantage of this deserted neighbourhood and closed shops, the robbers carried out a loot,” said Kirati Pradhan, a local resident who alerted police after spotting signs of loot at Badhigaon.

Meanwhile, Boudh police reached the spot this morning along with a scientific team, reviewed CCTV footage, and initiated an investigation during which a water bottle and a lighter were recovered from the Badhigaon ATM site.

ALSO READ: Miscreants loot ATM using gas cutter machine in Dhenkanal

Preliminary findings suggest that the robbers used gas cutters to break into the ATMs. Further, the nature of the findings suggested that the robbers first targeted the Badigaon ATM and later proceeded to rob the Birnarasinghpur ATM.

As per the last reports, police are conducting further investigation into the matter and have not offered any additional comments.

ALSO READ: Series of robberies rock Kendrapara: Loot in 7 locations in one night

Alarmingly, on the same night, a bank kiosk owner was critically attacked by armed robbers in the Dharmashala area of Subarnapur district. The gang then fled with about Rupees 1.5 lakhs in cash. Similar cases of loot and ATM robbery were reported earlier this month from Dhenkanal and Jajpur, highlighting growing lawlessness.