PUDUKKOTTAI : A major bank heist in Keeranur came to light after the culprit abandoned the booty on seeing a police patrol in the wee hours of Sunday. Police recovered around 35 kg of gold jewellery worth `8 crore and said the culprit had broken the rear window of the bank to gain entry. Though there were CCTV cameras in the front side of the bank, the back side didn’t have any.
A team of police personnel attached to the Keeranur station were on night patrol on the Kulathur Road when they spotted a man carrying a big bag on his motorcycle, according to sources. Growing suspicious, they asked him to stop. But he escaped under the cover of darkness after dropping the bag. The police team tried to chase the man, but he managed to escape through the Thondaimanallur toll gate on the Pudukkottai-Tiruchy Road. When the team opened the bag, they found it was full of gold jewellery.
Further investigations revealed that the jewellery was pledged by customers, and hence were found in packets bearing the bank’s identity. Following this, police ascertained that the jewels had been looted from the City Union Bank branch located nearby. The bag was taken to the police station.
On reaching the bank, police found the rear window broken open and alerted the branch manager.
On receiving information, top police officers rushed to the spot and inquired with the bank manager and other staff. A sniffer dog was brought to the scene, but it failed to pick up any scent. Forensic experts collected fingerprints.
E S Uma, Pudukkottai SP, said two special teams have been formed to trace the culprit.