Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: Police arrested five robbers involved in a daring bank robbery at Utkal Grameen Bank in Barpali, Bargarh district, on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 6:45 pm on Saturday when the robbers, armed with pistols and knives, stormed the bank. They held branch manager Rakesh Kumar Naik and other staff members hostage while they were wrapping up work after business hours. During the heist, the robbers also snatched three mobile phones from the staff.

However, the manager activated the bank’s siren, forcing the assailants to flee. A nearby police patrol team responded swiftly, apprehending one of the robbers at the scene. The remaining four suspects were arrested within three hours following an intensive investigation.

Police recovered two pistols, knives, iron rods, chili powder, and two motorcycles from the gang. Initial investigations revealed the suspects had resorted to crime after incurring heavy losses in online gaming, with one losing Rs 12 lakh.

Bargarh SP Prahlad Sahai Meena commended the team’s quick action, emphasizing the swift resolution of the case.

Powered by Froala Editor