Indian authorities have apprehended seven suspects linked to a daring $800,000 bank heist in Bengaluru, with police recovering the majority of the stolen funds. The robbery involved individuals disguising themselves as central bank officials to intercept a cash transport van.
The heist occurred in broad daylight in the Lalbagh area of Bengaluru, where armed men stopped an ATM cash van under the pretense of conducting a routine paperwork check. They instructed the cash custodian and security guards to exit the vehicle and enter an SUV, while one of the perpetrators took control of the van. This bold move allowed them to seize 70 million rupees ($800,000) in cash before fleeing the scene.
A massive police investigation was launched immediately, involving over 200 officers across Karnataka and neighboring states. Within days, police cracked the case, arresting seven individuals and recovering 57.6 million rupees of the stolen money. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are ongoing to locate two or three additional suspects.
Among those arrested are Gopal Prasad, an employee of cash transport company CMS; J Xavier, a former CMS worker; and Annappa Naik, a local police constable. The involvement of a police officer suggests possible insider knowledge that facilitated the planning and execution of the robbery. Authorities are examining the roles of each suspect in detail.
The gang employed sophisticated tactics to evade detection, including changing vehicles, using fake registration plates, and selecting routes with minimal CCTV coverage. This careful planning allowed them to transfer the cash boxes undetected for a period, but police were able to trace their movements through extensive surveillance and witness accounts.
Commissioner Singh highlighted vulnerabilities in cash transport protocols, noting that vans should avoid predictable routes and timings to prevent such incidents. The investigation is also focusing on potential violations by CMS regarding guidelines for transferring large sums of money. This heist has raised questions about security measures in the financial sector.
The recovery of most of the stolen funds is a significant achievement for law enforcement, but the case underscores the need for enhanced security in cash logistics. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to ensure all accomplices are brought to justice and to implement stricter regulations to prevent future heists.
