BENGALURU: The Rs 7.11-crore robbery that made headlines across the country was solved within a week by the Bengaluru City Police, with investigators and their support staff spending three sleepless nights and coming under tremendous pressure. More than 200 police personnel from the South Division and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) worked together leading to the arrest of nine accused and recovery of Rs 7.05 crore.
A senior police officer said police personnel stayed away from their families for more than three days while tracking the accused, who had fled to different states.
The investigation initially confused the police, as the complainant alerted them nearly an hour after the incident, allowing the suspects to move far from the crime location. Meanwhile, officers and inspectors from the South Division, who were on bandobust duty for Kadalekai Parishe, were roped in for the investigation.
Nearly 60% of the division’s inspectors and their crime teams began analysing CCTV footage, questioning company employees and speaking to others connected to the case. Later, CCB police joined the probe. When no immediate leads emerged, tension grew but eventually, crucial clues led to the arrest of a constable and others.
Then the priority of the police was to recover the booty, as the two persons arrested initially were not aware of the whereabouts of the other accused.
The police questioned the family members of the absconding accused, and based on their statements, multiple teams of four to five personnel were dispatched to various locations, including Chittoor, Attibele, Hyderabad, Kuppam and East Bengaluru.
Teams were divided for different tasks, including CCTV analysis, questioning, technical investigation and evidence collection. The entire time, officers and their teams were on their toes, travelling continuously from one place to another following directions from senior officials and chasing leads round-the-clock.
A senior police officer added that strong teamwork and coordination among the police personnel played a key role in cracking the case.