Thieves disable CCTV cameras, make off with ATM machine in Haridwar

A group of thieves allegedly made off with an ATM machine at Dhandera in Haridwar district, police said on Saturday.

As much as ₹7.16 lakh was reportedly lost in the incident that occurred at an ATM kiosk of the Union Bank of India in the wee hours of Friday. The matter came to light only when bank employees reached the spot later that morning.

Senior superintendent of police Krishan Kumar VK said the culprits pasted tapes on CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity of the ATM kiosk and broke light bulbs at nearby shops before carrying out the crime. According to bank manager Deep Suri, the thieves even severed the wires of an alarm attached to the cash tray in the machine to prevent it from going off.

A scrutiny of the footage acquired from the ATM CCTV camera showed a masked man in a yellow shirt entering the ATM kiosk and covering it with plastic tape.

Significantly, the crime took place on a stretch of Lakshkar road that witnesses hectic traffic movement even at night. However, Civil Lines police said the ATM machine itself was devoid of human security or any advanced technological sensors.

Fingerprint experts and dog squads were deployed to investigate the crime scene, and Haridwar superintendent of police Krishan Kumar VK dropped by later in the day.

“We will zero in on the culprits soon. Also, a notice will be issued to all banks and ATMs that don’t have security guards or the latest in security alarms,” said senior superintendent of police Krishan Kumar VK.

Police are looking into the case – the first of the kind in the district – from various angles, including the possible involvement of an interstate gang. A special operation group has also been constituted for the purpose, a senior police officer said.

Last month, two motorcycle-borne men shot at the security guard of an Axis Bank ATM near BSM square before making off with ₹25 lakh in cash.