Karnataka: Thieves end up burning Rs 4 lakh as Bengaluru ATM robbery bid fails

Robbers attempting to break into an ATM in Bengaluru's Nelamangala city accidently burnt Rs 4 lakh cash to ashes. The robbers used a gas cutter to forcefully access the ATM machine. However, the heat from the gas cutter ignited the currency notes.

Bengaluru Rural (Karnataka): In a bizarre incident, a gang of robbers accidentally burnt a significant amount of cash in their pursuit of looting an ATM using a gas cutter in a Bengaluru rural area. According to police, the incident took place on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Nelamangala city.

Police sources said that at least 450 currency notes worth Rs 4 lakh stored in an Axis Bank ATM were burnt to ashes after two thieves attempted to break the machine open using a gas cutter at Nelamangala city. The thieves fled from the spot after the owner of the building came to the spot.

According to police, the thieves entered the ATM at around 1.40 am on Wednesday and attempted to break the machine open using a gas cutter. However, their robbery attempt failed after the first tray containing currency notes in the denomination of Rs 500 caught fire. At least Rs 4 lakh was reduced to ashes in this robbery attempt.

Police officials further said that officials from the Mumbai branch of the bank noticed the withdrawal of cash and promptly informed the local bank branch and the police about the incident. The culprits, however, managed to escape leaving their tools behind as the owner of the building and the police arrived. The Bengaluru City police are currently investigating the matter. A case has been registered and further details are awaited as the probe progresses, police sources said.