2 held for stealing from ATMs, Rs23 lakh seized

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, January 2

The district police claimed to have busted an interstate gang of thieves with the arrest of two persons. The police seized a large amount of cash, weapons and vehicles. The accused have been allegedly involved in nearly 12 incidents of stealing money from ATMs in Punjab and Haryana.

On a tip-off, the Khanauri police arrested Rakesh Kumar (25) and Sonu Singh (22), residents of Banarasi village in Khanauri area, at a naka in Bhulan village. During interrogation, the police reportedly recovered Rs 23 lakh (stolen from different ATMs), firearms, 36 cartridges, three motorcycles, an iron cutter and a damaged ATM.

Paramjit Singh Gill, Inspector General of Police (IGP), zone-1, Patiala, said today that the accused had been involved in 12 cases. He said most of the crimes had been executed in Kalait, Narwana, Uchana and Jind in Haryana.

Gill further alleged Rakesh Kumar and Sonu Singh had looted Rs 41 lakh from various ATMs during the past year. He said Rakesh Kumar, an electrician, ran a shop at Dodua village near Kalait in Haryana and Sonu Singh was unemployed.

Gill said after entering an ATM booth, Rakesh would close the shutter and cut open the ATM in five to seven minutes, while Sonu would keep vigil.