Cash loot from ATM cash-loading agency; main conspirator arrested, driver absconding
ANANTAPUR: In a swift response, the Kadapa police recovered cash looted from the ATM cash-loading agency by the vehicle’s driver and nabbed the main conspirator within hours of the incident on Sunday. The driver is absconding with a part of the cash.
Police said they tracked the identity of the accused through his mobile phone number. “The special teams recovered cash along with a car near Bagepalli toll plaza when the driver tried to flee to Bengaluru from Kadapa,” YSR district SP Amburajan said.
Cash custodian Suneel Kumar working with the CMS agency lodged a complaint with Kadapa rural police about the loot. He had gone to deposit Rs 71 lakh in the SBI ATM at 7 Roads Junction in Kadapa city along with his colleague Mahendra Reddy in the agency vehicle MH 09 CH 5866.
At Chilakalabavi area, the two filled Rs 5 lakh in the ATM kiosk and proceeded to fill an ATM at Vijaya Durga Colony. There too, they filled the machine with Rs 5 lakh. Continuing with the replenishing process, the CMS agency vehicle went to Lohiya Nagar ATM kiosk. At this time, the vehicle driver Shaik Umar Farooq, on the pretext of reversing the vehicle, fled with the remaining Rs 56 lakh, as per the complaint to the police.
Police said the accused left the vehicle near Vinayaka Nagar and fled with the cash box.
Police teams later traced the Tata Yodha vehicle and verified the CC footage available in a nearby shop. Cops noticed that the accused shifted the cash box from a Tata Yodha vehicle to an Etios car bearing number AP 39 HG 3109 and proceeded towards Pulivendula.
The team of investigators alerted nearby police stations including the border districts and checkposts along with photos and CC footage and also through social media.
As the investigation progressed, the special teams noticed the vehicle proceeding towards Bangalore via Bagepalli Toll Plaza. Cops alerted the check post authorities to stop the vehicle. Simultaneously, a special team of police from YSR district rushed to the spot.
Sensing trouble, the driver got down from the car after putting some money in his pockets and fled towards the Bangalore side. Police seized the car along with Rs 53.50 lakh from the box and launched a hunt for the driver.
SP Anburajan said C Mahaboob Basha of Khajipet mandal of YSR district was the mastermind behind the loot. He had engaged his friend Farooq as a temporary driver of the CMS agency with this end in view.
