Cooperative bank robbers still at large; Police explore all angles in ongoing search

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 19, 2025: In a shocking robbery at the Kotekar Agricultural Service Co-Operative Society branch at KC Road in Thalapady, six individuals are suspected to have been involved. According to bank staff and eyewitness accounts, four of the robbers entered the bank while two stood outside. However, toll gate staff revealed that only two people were inside the car when it crossed the toll booth. CCTV footage also showed an empty front passenger seat, with the driver being the sole visible occupant. It is suspected that one or two individuals were seated in the back. The toll booth cashier confirmed that the driver paid Rs 150 and received Rs 40 as change. The driver’s partially masked face was captured on CCTV. After the robbery, the group appears to have split into two and used another vehicle for their escape. The second group is believed to have moved with the stolen gold, possibly towards Kerala or Karnataka.

Immediately after the incident, discussions with Kerala police were initiated. From Friday evening, CCTV footage from Thalapady to Uppala was reviewed and on Saturday, footage from highways and interior areas of Kerala was also examined to trace the vehicle. CCTV footage revealed that the car used in the robbery passed through Kallapu on National Highway 66 on Friday morning. It then moved to an interior road near KC Road, where the robbery is believed to have been planned. The robbers carried out their act around the time local traders had shut their shops for Friday prayers, during which another vehicle was parked by the roadside.

The Fiat car used in the robbery was found to bear a number plate registered with Bengaluru North RTO. However, it was discovered that the registration number actually belongs to a Maruti Ertiga car, confirming that the number plate was fake. The police have taken the case seriously and formed five special teams, including senior officials and the CCB, to crack the case. While two teams are operating in Kerala, others are gathering technical information and investigating multiple angles. Initial findings suggest the robbers may have deliberately used two cars to mislead investigators.

The crime appears to have been meticulously planned, with the robbers gathering sensitive information about the bank beforehand. Splitting into two groups and discarding a staff member’s mobile phone en route were tactics used to throw the police off track. Following this incident, there is a growing demand for increased security at co-operative banks and their branches. Many branches lack adequate surveillance systems or fail to maintain existing ones, making them vulnerable to such crimes.

Kasargod police have intensified their investigations, as CCTV footage shows the Fiat car traveling towards Kasargod after the robbery. Despite extensive searches across major roads and highways, the vehicle has not been located yet. It is suspected that the car re-entered Karnataka via Hosangady-Miyapadavu-Anekallu. The police are working relentlessly to apprehend the robbers, with hopes of resolving the case within the next few days.