Police zero in on bank heist suspect, release photo

CHENNAI: Police have zeroed in one of the suspects involved in the twin bank heist at Bank of Baroda last month and at IOB on February 20, and exuded confi dence of achieving a signifi cant breakthrough in the next few days. Talking to reporters here today, Chennai City Police Commissioner J K Tripathy said, 40 special teams, formed to crack both the burglaries held at gun point, have collected various footages from surveillance cameras, examined them and zeroed in on the suspect after pursuing various leads. Releasing the photo sketches of the suspect, who was a middle-aged person clad in jeans and checked shirt, the Commissioner said the suspect was identifi ed by the offi cials ofboth the BOB, where a four-member gang made away with Rs 19.25lakh at Perungudi on January 23 and by those in Keelkattalai branch of IOB, where a fi ve-member gang looted Rs 14 Lakh two days back. ‘’Since there were striking similarities in both the heist, we believe that the suspects might have visited several banks before targeting a particular branch. We went through the footages of surveillance cameras installed in several banks and it helped us to zero in on the suspect,’’ he added. ‘’We showed the photos of the suspect to the bank employees who were witnesses in BOB and IOB heists and they have identifi ed it,’’ Mr Tripahy said and hoped that a signifi cant breakthrough would soon be made in the twin daring daylight robberies that had put the police on their toes. The release of the suspect’s photo had established that he was involved in both the robberies and the police had sought more information from the public on the accused. Mr Tripathy said those having information, including students, public and bank employees, about the accused could share it with the police on toll free numbers. He also announced a reward of Rs one Lakh to that providing key information about the accused. Noting that special teams were probing the robbery cases, the Commissioner said the teams have also fanned to other states as part of the investigation. Mr Tripathy said a meeting was held with bank authorities in the wake of the two heists. The probe into the fi rst heist at BOB, which took place exactly a month ago, hit a road block due to non-installation of CCTV cameras by the banks. Same was the case in respect of IOB also where no CCTV cameras were installed. Of the 1300 banks in the city, about 400 of them did not have CCTV cameras or security personnel. ‘’We have already advised and once again advised the banks to install CCTV cameras and burglary alarm systems,’’ he added. ‘’Some of the banks have complied with the order. But some others are yet to comply with it. We have made installation of CCTV cameras and burglary alarm system in banks mandatory to prevent such incidents in future,’’ Chennai City Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) P Thamaraikannan, who was also present, said. ‘’We are also looking at connecting the alarm systems with the nearest police station using the technology so that police can reach the spot immediately,’’ he added. Thamaraikannan said all the banks were asked to compulsorily deploy security guards either with the help of private security agencies or utilising the services of ex-servicemen. ‘’We have insisted the banks that CCTV cameras, burglary alarm systems and posting of security personnel should be made mandatory. The banks have to comply with this,’’ he said. Terming the probe into the two bank robbery incidents as a massive job, he said 40 teams were formed and each of them was given a specifi c task. ‘’During the last 30 days we have examined various footages captured in surveillance cameras and zeroed in on the suspect who was identifi ed by both the banks. We are confi dent of achieving a breakthrough in the next couple of days,’’ he added.