ATMs in the erstwhile Karimnagar district have become targets for burglars, with thieves reportedly choosing machines located on the outskirts of towns where public movement is lower.
According to police sources, the burglars have been targeting State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs. In the latest incident, `15.68 lakh was stolen from two ATMs on the outskirts of Karimnagar town within 45 minutes in the early hours of Sunday.
While `7.13 lakh was stolen from the Thimmapur ATM, `8.55 lakh was stolen from the one at Durshad. Both ATMs belong to SBI.
In another incident on April 10, burglars stole an entire ATM from the bus stand at Yellareddypet mandal headquarters. As they could not break open the machine, they dug it out and fled. The incident occurred a few metres from the police station. The next day, police found the cashless ATM near Akkapalli.
On February 10, 2024, `27.75 lakh was stolen from an SBI ATM centre in Gouthaminagar under the NTPC, Ramagundam Municipal Corporation limits, at around 2 am. The burglars also made an unsuccessful attempt to steal cash from another SBI ATM in Ganganagar. They fled after the alarm was triggered by the disconnection of wires.
On January 15, 2023, Korutla police foiled an attempt by burglars to escape with `19 lakh stolen from an ATM on Thandriyal Road. The burglars left the stolen cash while fleeing from the spot after being chased by police.
A police source said burglars were choosing ATMs on the outskirts as public movement was lower there than in towns. Police suspect that thieves from other states were involved in the crimes in the district.
The burglars involved in the latest Karimnagar incident fled towards Peddapalli in a car. Police suspect they may have escaped to other states after boarding a train at Peddapalli railway station.
Suspecting that the thieves may be from Haryana, police formed four special teams under the aegis of Karimnagar Rural ACP G. Vijay Kumar to nab the accused.
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