Bhubaneswar: An attempted robbery at a Union Bank branch in Mayurbhanj district was foiled after the bank’s advanced anti-theft system raised an alarm, leading to the arrest of seven persons from Baleshwar district.
The incident took place late Monday night at the Managobindapur branch under Baisinga police station limits. The bank was closed for a prolonged holiday period when the accused allegedly tried to break into the premises.
According to police, as soon as the suspects attempted to enter the bank, the security alarm was triggered on the branch manager’s mobile phone. An alert was also sent to the bank’s head office in Bengaluru, which immediately informed the police.
By the time police were alerted, the accused had allegedly broken the grille of the main entrance and entered the bank. Baisinga police station Inspector-in-charge Babashankar Saraf along with a team rushed to the spot.
On seeing the police, the suspects allegedly abandoned their attempt to break open the strong room and tried to flee in a car. Police chased the vehicle along the Manatri-Baisinga road and intercepted it near Baisinga Square. A car bearing West Bengal registration number WB 20 Z 9756 was seized and seven suspects, all natives of Baleshwar district, were arrested.
Police also recovered a mobile phone allegedly stolen from inside the bank along with various tools and equipment used for breaking in. Acting on a written complaint filed by the bank’s security officer Uttam Kumar Prusty, Baisinga police have registered a case (474/26) and started investigation. The seven accused are being interrogated.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions over security arrangements at the branch, as no security personnel were reportedly present on the premises at night.
