Rs 5.45 crore looted from office of cash-ferrying firm in Thane

Incident occurred at 3.30am and police have recorded statements of van driver and three guards to help prepare sketches of the accused

A gang of eight masked men with firearms looted Rs 5.45 crore from the office of Checkmate Private Service Limited at Hiradip society in Thane in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Police said at 3.30am the group with firearms and knives stormed into the office after they found nothing in the van parked outside the office (Hindustan Times)

Police said at 3.30am the group with firearms and knives stormed into the office after they found nothing in the van parked outside the office. Only 17 out of the 85 employees of the firm, whose headquarters is in Vadodara, were present at that time.

Checkmate Service Private Limited collects cash from jewellers and businessmen, and deposits them in respective banks. The police said the robbers even took away the closed-circuit television cameras with them from the spot.

“The cash was collected over two days, and the money was to be deposited on Tuesday. The driver and three guards had unloaded guns,” said R Malekar, senior inspector, Wagle Estate. “We are in the process of registering a case.”

Police have recorded the statements of the van driver and the guards and have asked them to help them prepare sketches of the accused. A case of dacoity has been registered against unknown persons and has been handed over to the Thane crime branch.