Vijayapura: Karnataka police have recovered part of the valuables looted from the State Bank of India’s Chadchan branch earlier this week. The recovery came after the gang, fleeing into Maharashtra, abandoned a bag of stolen goods following a confrontation with villagers.
According to Vijayapura SP Laxman Nimbargi, police found a bag in Hulajanti village of Mangalwede taluk, Solapur district, containing Rs 41 lakh in cash and 6.5 kg of gold jewellery packed in 136 packets.
“The robbers met with an accident and had an argument with the villagers before fleeing. Soon after, we cordoned off the village and recovered the bag,” Nimbargi said.
Maharashtra Police Join Probe
Solapur police are assisting in the investigation, keeping a close watch on movements of known criminals in their jurisdiction.
The Heist
On September 16, three armed men dressed in military fatigues stormed the SBI Chadchan branch, tied up five employees and four customers, and escaped with nearly 20 kg of gold and Rs 1.4 crore in cash.
Investigators later recovered the gang’s getaway vehicle—stolen from Mangalwede and fitted with a fake number plate—which contained 21 packets of jewellery and Rs 1.03 lakh in cash.
With Thursday’s recovery, police have now seized a significant portion of the stolen valuables, though the hunt for the robbers continues.
