Kuchinda, Sept 9:Jamankira police busted the Andhra Bank branch heist in Sambalpur district and arrested two persons in this connection including the mastermind and his accomplice – a woman from Ranchi in Jharkhand Sunday.
Acting on relevant inputs, the two were arrested from the neighboring state Sunday. While the kingpin was identified as Bhaina alias Paras Bhanu (33), the woman accused was identified as Pinky alias Shantisini Naag.
A country made pistol, two live bullets, gold jewellery, a motorcycle and Rs 23,000 were seized from their possession.
According to the case diary, three unidentified armed miscreants stormed into Andhra Bank under Jamankira police limits and looted Rs 10.93 lakh after holding the employees at gun-point August 3.
The incident took place at around 3pm when three masked men reached the bank on a black Pulsar and threatened four bank employees with guns. The desperadoes made away with Rs 10.93 lakh. Besides they also took away the CCTV hard disk from the bank.
Sources said the branch manager, a field officer, a clerk and a peon along with some customers were present inside the bank during the loot, who immediately informed the police after the miscreants sped away.
Taking note of the robbery, a special team was formed which launched a manhunt in and outside the state to nab the culprits.
Earlier on September 1, police had arrested three accused from Howrah in West Bengal in connection with the case while the main accused was absconding.
The accused duo was produced before court Sunday, the police said, adding that they have been sent to judicial custody after the court rejected their bail pleas.
PNN
