An interstate ATM theft racket operating across multiple states has been busted following the arrest of six persons linked to a break-in at a banking outlet in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, police said. According to investigators, the accused were involved in a theft at an ATM belonging to Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank on April 5, 2024. The gang allegedly used gas cutters to break open the ATM safe before fleeing with cash within minutes. Police said three of the accused were arrested from Barpeta in Assam, while the remaining three were apprehended from Haryana during coordinated operations involving local police teams.
Giri Prasad M, Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi, said a special investigation team was formed to probe the case. He said coordinated efforts with Assam and Haryana Police helped track down and arrest the accused involved in the ATM break-in. The case has been registered at Umïam Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police suspect the arrested individuals are part of a larger interstate syndicate involved in similar ATM thefts in different states. Further investigations are underway to identify other members of the network and dismantle the entire racket.