The Mahim police are investigating whether the thieves who made away with Rs 19 lakh from an ATM cash deposit van had any insider help.
Unidentified men stole the money from a security van outside an ATM centre in Mahim on Wednesday morning.
Vinay Kulkarni, police inspector from Mahim police station, said: “We are trying to find out if Surendra Jadhav and Pintu Yadhav, who were loading cash into the Bank of Maharashtra ATM, had left the door of the van open by mistake.”
As per procedure, the door of the Maruti Omni belonging to Securitrans India Pvt Ltd should have been locked.
However, since it was open, the thieves could easily sneak away with the bag without the knowledge of the security guard, Mushtaq Ahmed, and driver, Akhilesh Yadav.
Two men had managed to distract the gun-totting security guard, who was standing near the rear door of the van, by asking him directions. Yadav, who was standing on the other side of the vehicle, did not notice the two accused approaching Ahmed.
The duo then melted into the crowd and it was only after they left that Ahmed and Yadav realised that a bag was missing. They informed Surendra and Pintu, who were inside the ATM.
{{/usCountry}}The duo then melted into the crowd and it was only after they left that Ahmed and Yadav realised that a bag was missing. They informed Surendra and Pintu, who were inside the ATM.
{{/usCountry}}The Mahim police have prepared sketches of the two con men with the help of the lady who witnessed the entire incident.