**Bhubaneswar: ** The ‘lootera’ gang which was involved in various ATM loots across the State was busted in Haryana in the wee hours of Tuesday. There was an exchange of fire between the police and the miscreants after which they managed to flee.
“This is a professional gang hailing from Mewat, Haryana. It is an inter-state gang operating in various states like Rajasthan, UP, Odisha and is most wanted in those states,” said Y.B Khurania, Police Commissioner.
As per latest information, a team from Odisha was camping in Mewat for quite some days. It had raided a place with assistance of the Haryana police to nab the culprits, and a gunbattle ensued. There was an exchange of fire but the criminals managed to flee.
“Our raids are continuing and we are hopeful of nabbing those accused very soon,” informed the Commissioner.
Notably, there was a series of ATM loots in the State few months back.
On 28th September, 5 miscreants looted over Rs 13 lakh and 1 kg gold ornaments from Bapuji Nagar branch of UCO bank in the broad daylight.
On October 16, there was a loot of Rs 16 lakh cash from the State Bank of India (SBI)’s ATM counter in Gandarpur area in Cuttack.
On November 3, as much as Rs 27 lakh was stolen from 3 ATMs ( ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and SBI ATMs) in Chandia Bazaar and Kuansa area under the Bhadrak rural police limits.
On November 4, Rs 8 lakh was looted from an ATM at Soro of Balasore district.
On November 7, an ATM of Indian Bank at Danapur under Sadar police limits in Odisha’s Kendrapara district was looted