8 Members Of Gang Involved In ATM Loot Attempts Arrested In Odisha’s Balasore

Balasore: Eight members of a gang allegedly involved in at least three attempts to loot bank ATMs were arrested by the police in Odisha’s Balasore district on Thursday.

Balasore Superintendent of Police Sagarika Nath told reporters that the gang members had attempted to loot an ATM of SBI near Durgadebi market square at Remuna in the district on January 5.

Following the theft attempt, a dedicated team was formed under SDPO Nilgiri to probe the incident. Based on information gathered during probe into past cases, two teams were formed under the SDPOs of Nilgiri and Sadar police and a cyber police team was also constituted, she said.

Investigation by the teams led to the identification of a nine-member gang which was involved in the ATM theft attempts. Eight of the gang members have been arrested, the SP said, adding that it is purely a local gang.

The gang had also tried to rob an ATM in Mayurbhanj district on January 6. Earlier, its members had made a similar attempt in Sadar area in November, last year, she said. All the three attempts were unsuccessful as the gang members were unable to take away cash.

Police have seized a gas cutter, knife, cylinder, black spray and eight mobile phones from the accused. The gang has a criminal record in names of its members are there in many police stations.