Cooperative bank robbery: Burglars identified

Kasargod: The police on Friday said they have identified all the persons involved in the Cooperative Bank robbery at Kudalu here.

The police had on Thursday taken six persons into custody for reportedly assisting the five burglars who decamped with 21 kg of gold ornaments and Rs 12 lakh cash from the on September 7.

The gang also includes some persons who reside near the bank. The police said that the burglary was also aimed at damaging the reputation of the bank.

Meanwhile, the investigation team seized a car, reportedly used by the gang to flee after the crime, from Mangalore.

Kasargod Circle Inspector P K Sudhakaran had earlier told reporters that those involved in the robbery had been identified and would be arrested within a few days. A six gram gold chain dropped by the fleeing robbers has been recovered from near the bank, he said.

Police had extended the probe into the case to Karnataka over suspicion that the burglars might have fled to Mangalore with the help of some local residents.

The five masked men had barged into the bank at Kudalu on Sept 7, threatened the two women staff and a customer at knife point and decamped with the gold ornaments and cash.

A woman staffer who resisted their attempt was injured and has been hospitalised.