Huge theft at Mahesh Co-op Bank branch

Duplicate keys used to open front shutter

Cops blame it on security lapses by the bank

No presence of security guard, CCTV cameras

Exact stolen amount yet to be ascertained

Hyderabad: In a daring bank heist, some thieves struck at Mahesh Co-operative Bank and decamped with Rs 22 lakh worth gold ornaments in the early hours of Friday.

According to Kushaiguda police, the incident took place at the AS Rao Nagar branch at around 3.30 am. The thieves made an easy entry into the bank by opening the front rolling shutter by using duplicate keys.

As there was no security guard present and no CCTV cameras installed at the entrance of the bank, it became easy for the thieves to gain entry and commit the crime, stated the police.

As the news broke out in the morning, some of the bank customers lined up in front of the branch to ascertain if their valuables in the lockers were safe. The bank officials explained that only an amount of Rs 22 lakh was stolen from the branch, while the police officials stated that some gold ornaments were also robbed from lockers. The total worth of stolen property is yet to be ascertained.

The dog squad and the clues team were pressed into service to carry out investigation in the bank premises. The CCTV inside the bank showed footage of the four offenders moving inside the bank premises. Police, however, blame it on the lack of effective security on the part of bank management.

“We are examining the captured footage by the surveillance cameras and trying to identify the offenders. The needle of suspicion is towards the security guard,” said the police.