₹9 Lakh Cash Stolen From Kancheepuram ATM After Burglars Cut Open Machine

Robbers allegedly broke into an ICICI Bank ATM in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district and escaped with around ₹9 lakh in cash, police said. The burglars are suspected to have used a gas cutter to open the machine's cash compartment, with damage at the site indicating that considerable force and equipment were used during the break-in. Visuals from the ATM showed the cash storage section severely damaged, with a portion of the compartment appearing to have been cut open. Police suspect that the burnt and charred marks on the machine were caused by the use of a gas cutter.

The method suggests that the suspects had planned the burglary and arrived prepared to bypass the ATM's security mechanism. Investigators also suspect that the burglars took steps to prevent their movements from being recorded. According to police, the suspects may have sprayed the ATM's CCTV camera before breaking into the machine. If confirmed, the move would have been intended to obstruct surveillance footage and make it harder for investigators to identify those involved.

The location of the ATM could have helped the suspects carry out the operation without being noticed. A senior police officer said the machine was situated in an isolated area, potentially allowing the burglars to work with less risk of attracting attention from passersby or nearby residents. The suspects are believed to have exploited the location while carrying out the planned break-in. Police have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the theft and are examining available evidence from the scene.

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The damaged ATM, CCTV equipment and surrounding area are expected to be important parts of the investigation as officers attempt to establish how the suspects reached the location and how they escaped after taking the cash. The use of a gas cutter has also drawn attention because such equipment would require preparation and could potentially produce noise, heat and visible damage. Investigators are likely to examine whether the suspects had carried the equipment to the ATM or obtained it nearby. The possibility that the robbery involved multiple people is also expected to be examined as part of the investigation.

The stolen amount has been reported at approximately ₹9 lakh, although investigators will establish the exact amount missing as part of the case. Bank officials are expected to assist police by providing information about the cash deposited in the ATM and its transaction records. Police are continuing efforts to identify those responsible for the burglary. Investigators may examine any available surveillance footage from nearby roads, businesses or other locations if the ATM's own CCTV system was compromised. The isolated location and suspected disabling of the camera could make the investigation more challenging, but authorities are expected to use other evidence to trace the suspects.

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