Priyanka Tiwari
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Nearly six months after 17kg of gold was stolen from the State Bank of India's Nyamati branch in Davanagere district, Karnataka, police have arrested the primary suspect and four accomplices. The robbery occurred on October 26, 2024, and the breakthrough came on Wednesday, as police recovered around 14kg of gold from Tamil Nadu.
Arrests Made in the Case
The arrested include the key suspect Ajaykumar (28), along with Vijaykumar from Tamil Nadu, and Chandru, Manjunath, and Abhishekh, all residents of Surahonni village in Nyamati taluk. A sixth suspect, Paramanand, remains at large.
Why Did They Rob the Bank?
Ajaykumar had earlier applied for a business loan from SBI’s Nyamati branch for his bakery but was allegedly denied, despite reportedly paying a ₹60,000 bribe. Frustrated by the rejection, he and the others planned the robbery.
Reports reveal that the group studied crime documentaries and bank robbery tutorials on YouTube as part of their preparation. They chose October 26, knowing that October 27 was a bank holiday, providing them more time before the crime could be discovered.
Modus Operandi and Heist Details
The robbers walked 4 kilometers to approach the bank from behind. They entered the premises by removing rods from a window and broke into the main locker room. The gang stole gold pledged by 509 customers, leaving untouched another strongroom that held assets from 423 other customers.
They also stole the DVR of the CCTV system and scattered chilli powder across the area to mislead police sniffer dogs.
Gold Hidden in a Well in Tamil Nadu
After the robbery, Ajaykumar took the stolen jewellery to Tamil Nadu and hid it inside an old well located on Vijaykumar’s property. Despite the heist, the group continued their usual daily routines in Nyamati, avoiding suspicion for months.
Davanagere Superintendent of Police Uma Prashant confirmed the recovery of 14kg of gold, while the search for Paramanand continues.
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