Chennai: In a scene straight out of a Hollywood crime thriller, Tamil Nadu police successfully pursued and apprehended seven robbers involved in a daring ATM heist that took place across multiple locations. Acting on a tip-off from their counterparts in Kerala, police recovered a truck containing ₹68 lakhs in cash and a car hidden inside. The operation unfolded with all the elements of a gripping thriller: high-speed chases, collisions, gunfire, and even assaults on policemen with a crowbar. Tragically, truck driver Zumadin was killed in the crossfire, while another individual, Azar Ali, sustained injuries.

The crime spree began when Thrissur police received an alert through the State Bank of India’s central monitoring system regarding a break-in at an ATM in Mapranam, where the gang made off with ₹33 lakh. They later looted an additional ₹10 lakh from an SBI ATM on Shornur Road and attempted to steal ₹25 lakh from another SBI ATM in Kolazhy. In each incident, the gang managed to evade capture by disabling CCTV cameras with a black paint-like substance and using gas cutters to access the ATMs. They strategically placed stickers reading “ATM under repair” to mislead the public and police.

Following the thefts, Tamil Nadu police were alerted about a gang traveling in a white SUV with seven men who had just robbed multiple ATMs. Villagers in Veppadai and Sanyasipatty in Namakkal district watched in shock as the police chase and gunfire unfolded around them. The drama began around 2 am on September 27 when the gang targeted the first three ATMs. Before crossing into Tamil Nadu, they transferred the stolen cash and swapped vehicles for a container truck.

The pursuit intensified when the truck crossed the Walayar check post at around 5:30 am, passing through Coimbatore and Erode districts before heading to Namakkal. Police attempted to stop the truck at 9:45 am, but it sped away, colliding with two motorcycles and a car along the way. Nearly 25 police vehicles chased the truck over a distance of seven kilometers until it finally crashed into a barricade set up across the highway.

Salem Range DIG E S Uma reported, “There were three individuals in the cabin with the driver. While towing the container for investigation, officers heard noises from inside. Upon inspection, they discovered two additional suspects and a car concealed within. The car was used in the ATM robberies. One of the suspects, Azhar Ali, had urged the driver to flee, leading to a violent confrontation with the police.” Sadly, Zumadin died on the spot, while Azhar Ali was injured in the leg.

During a media briefing, DIG Uma, accompanied by Namakkal Police Superintendent S Rajesh Kannan, explained that as the duo attempted to escape with the cash in a backpack, they violently confronted police officers. Azhar, carrying the stolen money, fell while ignoring orders to surrender. In self-defense, Inspector Thavamani and a Sub-Inspector fired their weapons.

DIG Uma further detailed, “The cash—still in ₹500 denominations—has not yet been fully counted, but information from Kerala police indicates that the gang looted three SBI ATMs, taking ₹30 lakh, ₹25 lakh, and ₹10 lakh, respectively. The suspects, hailing from two districts in Haryana, utilized Google Maps to locate their targets.”

In the chaos, one suspect attacked Kumarapalayam Inspector A Thavamani with a crowbar, injuring him, while Sub-Inspector Banjith Kumar was hurt on his arm. Despite their efforts to escape with the loot, police fired back, resulting in the deaths of truck driver Zumadin and the injury of Azhar Ali.

Authorities confirmed that Kerala police would formally arrest the suspects and conduct further interrogations. The five apprehended individuals, along with the seized cash, truck, car, crowbar, and other tools, will be handed over to Kerala officials. Tamil Nadu police suspect the gang from Haryana may be linked to at least 15 ATM burglaries across South India, primarily targeting SBI. Equipped with weapons and gas-cutting equipment, the gang’s operations may also extend to a recent heist in Krishnagiri, where ₹9 lakh was stolen, prompting further investigations.

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