Bengaluru: BTM Layout bank heist was done at knifepoint

BENGALURU: Friday evening’s heist at the BTM Layout branch of SBI unravelled in filmi-style with the miscreant holding a knife against an employee’s neck to get her manager to open the strongroom, police said.
The suspect fled with Rs 3.8 lakh and gold worth over Rs 78 lakh. Madiwala police have taken up a case of robbery based on a complaint filed by Harish N, in-charge manager of the branch, and are making efforts to trace the miscreant.
They said there were no security personnel at the branch and the crime was committed by someone who knew the loopholes.According to police, the incident took place at 5.40pm, when Harish and his subordinate Tejaswini were about to close the main door of the bank.
Harish told police the branch manager was on leave since Thursday because of health issues and he was the in-charge manager. He along with clerk Tejaswini and attender Chandramma resumed work on Friday, and Chandramma left the branch at noon.
“I and Tejaswini worked till 5.40pm and reached the main door to lock it. A miscreant — aged between 30 and 35 and wearing a facemask — approached us and took out a knife. He held it against Tejaswini’s neck and demanded that I open the strongroom. Fearing for our lives, Tejaswini and I took him to the strongroom and gave him Rs 3,75,200 and 1,860 grams of gold kept in 17 packets. He then fled,” Harish said