In response to the brazen robbery at the State Bank of India branch in Chadachan, Vijayapura police have mobilized multiple specialized teams. Their primary mission: to swiftly investigate the crime and apprehend the perpetrators.
According to police sources, Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi personally oversaw the formation of at least four dedicated teams. Each unit is meticulously tasked with dissecting various facets of the elaborate heist, crucial for tracing the individuals responsible.
Intriguingly, preliminary investigations have uncovered an unusual detail: the robbers had an unexpected encounter with a herd of sheep during their escape. This bizarre incident, however, did not deter their flight.
SBI officials filed a formal complaint detailing the events of September 16. The robbers, armed and dangerous, made off with approximately 20 kilograms of gold and ₹1.4 crore in cash. Before their escape, they bound the hands and legs of the bank’s officers and staff.
Branch Manager Tarakeshwar Gangappa Venkatesh recounted how one individual initially entered the bank clutching a partially filled account opening form, feigning a need for assistance from the manager and other officers. They were instructed to complete the form and return. However, just minutes later, as the staff prepared to conclude daily operations and secure the lockers, three individuals forcibly intervened, demanding access to the bank’s valuables.
All three perpetrators wore COVID masks, wielding both guns and knives to intimidate their victims. They swiftly restrained ten individuals—six staff members and four customers—using plastic tags. Their significant haul included ₹1.4 crore in cash and the entire contents of 298 out of 425 lockers. The estimated value of the stolen gold, much of which was collateral for loans, is approximately 20 kilograms. Bank officials, however, couldn’t provide precise figures for all stolen items due to a faulty LAN network at the time of the complaint.
The complaint further described the suspects as men aged between 20 and 30, speaking Hindi, and dressed in black T-shirts, trousers, and caps. The branch manager confidently stated his ability to identify the accused if confronted with them again.
The robbers used a getaway car fitted with a fake number plate, making their escape towards the inter-State border in Maharashtra, specifically Pandharpur. Their journey took an unexpected turn in Hulajanti, Solapur district, when a herd of sheep caused their vehicle to collide with a two-wheeler. This led to a heated altercation with local villagers, but the culprits managed to flee the scene after issuing threats.
An First Information Report (FIR) has been officially registered by officers at the Chadachan police station. Superintendent Nimbargi expressed optimism, stating that the police force is fully dedicated and hopeful of swiftly solving this high-profile crime.