Gampola ATM robbery: Two suspects arrested

A special Police team has arrested two members of the gang who allege involved in the robbery of the Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) which reportedly contained nearly Rs. 8 million in cash in a private bank in Gampola town.

Police information revealed that the mastermind of this robbery is also among the suspects. Police information revealed

that the main suspect has served in the Army’s Special Forces for 22 years. He and another suspect were arrested after an operation in the Pannala area.

On January 25th, A group consisting of four people who came from a K.D.H. van had carried out this robbery. The Police found the van left at Galaha Junction in Peradeniya after four hours after this robbery. The driver was also left beside the van with his hands tied. The driver also a retired Air Force soldier, had said during the police questioning that he brought the van to Peradeniya on the pretext of going on a hired journey and someone had tied his hands and eyes, hijacked the van, and left him with the van. Due to the contradictions and doubts regarding the driver’s statements, he was kept in Police custody for several days and investigations were conducted. The robbers had credited Rs,100,000 to his bank account on two occasions, claiming that it was the rent of the van. It was revealed that this van was brought to Peradeniya for the rental journey through a WhatsApp call.It was possible to arrest two suspects after a scientific investigation through the phone number that made the call and the bank branch where the money was deposited into the bank.

The Police suspect that although they left the van, they may load the Cash deposit machine stolen from Gampola Bank into another vehicle and take it to another place. Police believe that most of the time this machine was taken to Pannala and the money was taken by breaking it. Police also believe that they will be able to arrest the rest of the suspects with that machine soon.