An automated Teller Machine (ATM) of United Bank of India located near the Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Chikhli in Pimpri-Chinchwad was stolen by unidentified persons around 1.30 am on Monday. The burglars covered the CCTV camera with a flex and decamped with the ATM carrying cash to the tune of Rs 7.5 lakh. Interestingly, the hard disk in which the video footage was stored by the CCTV camera was installed in the ATM. This made it difficult for the police to trace the burglars.
Prashant Shinde (38), a bank official, has lodged a complaint with the Hinjewadi police. Police said UBI installed the ATM in a shop near the RTO in Chikhli around a month ago. Police said no security guard was deployed at the ATM. “The bank had not informed the police about its newly-installed ATM centre. Also, the bank had not deployed any security guard at the spot,” said Police Inspector Rajendra Patil.
Police also said the bank should have fixed the ATM on the floor with screws and nut bolts. But the stolen ATM was not fixed on the floor, allowing the burglars to steal it easily, they said.
Police said theft took place around 1.30 am and the burglars may have used a vehicle for carrying the ATM away. The incident came to light when a neighbouring shop’s owner found the ATM missing around 9 am.
After receiving the information, a police team rushed to the spot. A dog squad and a team of forensic experts were also pressed into action. Police found that the hard disk in which the video was stored was also stolen as it was installed in the ATM.
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