Bahanaga: With the arrest of two miscreants, police late Sunday night foiled a major robbery bid in Panapana branch of UCO Bank under Bahanaga block in Balasore district. However, two more robbers managed to flee, according to police.
A four-wheeler, two mobile handsets, and sharp edged weapons were seized from their possession, police said, and registered a case based on a complaint lodged by the branch manager.
The accused, who were produced in court, were identified as Sanjay Muduli, son of late Nakul Chandra Muduli of Niali police limits in Cuttack district and Laxman Murmu (21), son of late Rabin Murmu of Kanachhinda village under Bangiriposi police limits in Mayurbhanj district.
While Sanjay works as a driver in Paradip and stays with his family, Laxman works as a mechanic in a garage in the same town of Jagatsinghpur district.
According to reports, platoon commander Srushtidhar Mohanty and his associate home guard Ajay Kumar Jena of Khantapada police station heard some strange noise at 1.30 am Sunday when they were on patrol duty at Panapana market. They investigated the noise when they found some youths trying to break into the bank through the ventilator. The patrol team chased the criminals and managed to nab the duo while two others managed to escape.
The absconding youths were identified as Lal Mohan (27) and Rinku (26) based on testimony obtained from the arrested youths, police said.
The accused told police during interrogation that they were brought to Balasore by Lalmohan and Rinku on the promise of being given `4,000 each and said they had no prior knowledge of the robbery plan. PNN