Coimbatore police widen probe into ATM thefts

Coimbatore: Seeking to widen the probe into the sensational spate of robberies by an inter-state gang of burglars in the western belt including on the outskirts of Coimbatore, the district police here have begun investigations into whether the gang members, eight of whom were arrested amid high drama in Salem and Namakkal areas few days back, have any link with terror groups.  

Police said, that the eight offenders who were arrested recently in connection with with ATM robberies were produced before a local court and imprisoned at Coimbatore central prison on Friday.

On Saturday, police applied the court demanding ten days police custody for investigating the eight-member gang. The Magistrate Rajavelu granted them eight days police custody.

The members were taken to Peelamedu, where preliminary investigations revealed that the gang had skilled technicians to cut open the ATM kiosks with gas-cutting machines.

Police believe that one of the accused, Mustak Ithiris, 32, probably  prepared the drawing plan with measurements for breaking into ATM kiosks, while another accused Khan use to operate the gas cutting equipment as per the blueprint drawn by the former.

Police also revealed that a third accused, Amithkumar, 25, would stand outside the ATM kiosks, monitor the people's movement and alert his associates in case of any danger and Subir, 19, was deployed to take the tools and equipment back to the lorry after the robbery. And the stolen cash would be handed over to the gang leader Aslam, police sources claimed.  

In the wake of this stunning inter-state gangs operation coming to light, the Tamil Nadu police have approached the police of other concerned States in the North for help to track the ATM robbery gang leader who is on the run. Police suspect the gang leader to have a huge amount of cash and possible links with terrorist groups. Further investigations are on.