Mumbai: Man uses glue to steal from ATMs, arrested

The police said the man would first identify an unmanned ATM kiosk. He would then allegedly put glue on the asterisk key to jam the machine’s keypad and wait outside the ATM to keep a watch on customers going into the kiosk.

A 21-year-old man who allegedly used glue to steal money from ATMs was arrested recently.

The police said Randhir Kumar Singh would first identify an unmanned ATM kiosk. He would then allegedly put glue on the asterisk key to jam the machine’s keypad and wait outside the ATM to keep a watch on customers going into the kiosk.

Each time a customer typed his/her ATM pin, the system would hang because of the jammed asterisk key. Once the customer left the kiosk, the accused would allegedly remove the glue with a sharp object and complete the transaction using the memorised PIN.

“Singh was arrested after he withdrew Rs15,000 in Santacruz (East) using this modus operandi along with an accomplice, who is still absconding,” said Vilas Joshi, senior inspector at Vakola police station. “We have traced the residential address of the second accused and will soon arrest him,” added Joshi.

According to the police, the incident occurred after the victim, Ramanand Prasad, 43, a painter by profession, visited the Santacruz (East) ATM to withdraw cash.

“Prasad swiped his card and entered his PIN number. When the cash was not dispensed, he left the kiosk thinking it was not functioning properly,” said another officer.

“Singh and his accomplice immediately entered the kiosk, removed the glove using a blade and withdrew cash from the machine,” said Joshi. “Prasad was near the ATM when he received a message that said Rs15,000 had been withdrawn from his bank account,” said another officer.

The police said Prasad went back to the ATM and found Singh and one more person inside. Suspecting foul play, Prasad went to question them, but the duo fled from the spot. “The police patrolling vehicle, which was standing nearby, caught Singh with the help of a local resident, while his accomplice managed to escape,” said Joshi.