Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad police recently apprehended a gang of eight, including engineers, in connection with a theft from many ATMs in the city. The police recovered cash worth Rs 72.1 lakh and gold worth Rs 22 lakh from the gang.

Police identified the suspect as Manoj Uttam Suryawanshi (30), Kiran Bhanudar Kolte (35), Mahesh Anand Devnikar, Sagar Popat Tavare, Tushar Kundalik Chandgude (25), Shankar Balasaheb Gaikwad (31), Ashish alias Sonya Bhalerao (22) and Narsingh Madhav Dhumal.

In a shocking revelation from the police, it was reported that most of the persons in the gang are engineers by profession and worked for famous companies that proved services to ATM functions.

A press release issued by the crime branch of Pimpri Chinchwad police said some persons unlocked four ATMs in Dighi are using matching keys and stole CPU and its lock along with the cash. This incident took place on September 24.

The investigation confirmed they had purportedly stolen money from ATMs with the help of collaborators. Police seized Rs 66.10 lakh cash and a motorcycle from them along with documents related to gold worth Rs 10 lakh that Suryawanshi had allegedly purchased using stolen money. He then took a loan from a finance company by mortgaging it. Cops also recovered documents regarding payment of Rs 12 lakh made by Kolte for buying an apartment.

The police, when arrested the other members of the gang, found that these persons used the cash Rs 7 lakh for personal reasons such as marriage celebrations, hospital charges, farming to name a few. Police also arrested Dhumal and recovered Rs 5.5 lakh cash from him.

Police have so far confirmed their involvement in offences of theft of money from ATMs in the jurisdictions of, Talegaon Dabhade, Wakad, Chakan, Dehu Road, Nigdi, Pimpri and Dighi police stations.

MODUS OPERANDI

· Tampering the lock while the ATM is in default mode.

· Stealing pin-code of ATM.

· They also used to get help from those who are authorised to deposit cash in the machine.

· Opening the machine with a duplicate key.

· Breaking the CPU unit and the lock of the main vault.