Datia (Madhya Pradesh): An ATM machine stolen from an SBI booth in Dabra in Gwalior has been found lying nearly 80kms away in a village in Datia on Friday.
The incident occurred under the Chirula police station in Datia district. The ATM, which was reported missing earlier, was discovered on Friday in a field near a gas warehouse, around 10 kilometers from Datia.
Police were alerted by local villagers, who informed them about the machine lying abandoned by the roadside. The Dabra police team quickly reached the spot and recovered the machine.
The incident began late Wednesday or early Thursday, when thieves used a cutter to uproot the ATM from its booth in Dabra’s Pichhor Tiraha.
The machine contained about Rs 9 lakh. When some people arrived to withdraw money the next morning, they found the ATM missing. The bank reported the theft to the police, and a forensic team was called in to examine the scene. The thieves tried to cut the ATM open but failed to do so.
Dabra police stated that the ATM was found late at night near Chhirula Toll in Datia. Attempts were made to cut the ATM, but they were unsuccessful.
Police suspect ‘Mevati Gang’
While the ATM was recovered, it is still unclear if the money inside is intact. The police suspect the involvement of the Mevati gang, known for targeting ATMs during winter. In the past, this gang has stolen large sums of money from multiple ATMs at once, using fake vehicle plates to avoid detection.
Police are investigating further and hope to confirm whether the stolen cash is still inside the machine.
