Robbers break into temple, escape with idols, jewellery

Tried to break into ATM

Kakinada: A group of unknown culprits on Saturday broke into Venkateswara Swamy temple and escaped with gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 2.5 lakh and idols. The incident happened at V K Rayapuram under Samarlakota mandal. The miscreants also made a vain bid to loot an ATM. The Samarlakota police are investigating the temple theft case which came to light. when the priest arrived on Sunday morning. He found the temple door open and informed the villagers and police.

The village sarpanch alleged that the police had failed to act when residents lodged a complaint about theft in Saibaba temple in the village earlier. The offenders had taken away the Baba’s idol. He said on Sunday had the police taken action in the Saibaba temple case, the temple robbery would not have occurred. The villagers demanded steps to prevent thefts in temple and to act fast to nab the offenders.

Three robbers tried to break into SBI ATM at Ramayya Veedi in Suryaraopet after confining security guard Bhaskar Reddy in a room between 1 and 2 am. They threatened him at the point of revolver and trussed him up.

The offenders made an attempt to break open the ATM using a sharp weapon. Having failed to open the machine they escaped. Reddy managed to call the police on night rounds and gave information to them.