Thrissur/Namakkal: The recent ATM heist in Thrissur has brought attention to a notorious criminal group known as the ‘Gas Cutter Gang.’ Police investigations reveal that the gang specifically targets ATMs of major banks, often choosing those stocked with cash. Their operations are marked by careful planning and a signature method of execution. Police have linked the group to previous robberies in states like Haryana and Rajasthan.
The gang’s modus operandi follows a precise pattern. They first scout potential ATMs using Google Maps and then execute the robbery using a gas cutter. Once at the ATM, the gang uses the cutter to dismantle the machine and load it into their vehicle. Afterward, they transport it to a secluded area to extract the cash. Salem DIG E S Uma pointed out that their usual escape involves loading their vehicle into a container truck. The group is suspected of being responsible for around 15 ATM heists across multiple states and may have been involved in a similar robbery in Kannur in 2021.
In the Thrissur case, the gang, originating from Haryana, looted Rs 70 lakh from three State Bank of India ATMs on Friday. They escaped to Tamil Nadu using a container truck, concealing their getaway car inside. Alerted by Kerala police, Tamil Nadu authorities chased the truck, which crashed into several vehicles in Namakkal before being stopped. In the ensuing confrontation, one gang member was killed, and another was injured, while six suspects were arrested. Police recovered both the truck and the car used in the crime.
