Date:22/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/22/stories/2005042210000400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Theft at SBI, 40.50 lakhs stolen

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a sensational break-in, cash and gold totalling Rs.40.49 lakhs was stolen from the State Bank of India's Dondaparthy branch on Wednesday night. Of the total loss, the value of gold and jewellery was Rs.17.52 lakhs and the remaining Rs.22.96 lakhs was in cash.

Two of the three almirahs in the cashroom of the bank, located on the ground floor, were opened by burglars and cash and gold taken away.

The three almirahs contained a total of Rs.52 lakhs in cash and jewellery.

It appeared to be a well-planned and simple operation. Police said that the burglars gained entry from the terrace by climbing down the staircase where the exit door was open.

Sniffer dogs pressed into service led up to the platforms at the Railway Station. A CLUES team of the police gathered evidence from the bank premises. A waistbelt (vaddanam), a ring and Rs.50 were found near the almirahs.

Lax security

Going by the manner in which the crime was committed, the police suspect the involvement of someone with inside information. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (crime), A.V. Subba Rao,said that the modus operandi did not fall into any particular pattern.

Pointing out the security lax at the bank, he said that it did not have an armed guard and the burglar alarm was not working.