Kerala Bank Robbery Caught on Camera: Masked Man Steals ₹15 Lakh at Knifepoint

In a shocking robbery case, a man armed with a knife threatened staff at a Federal Bank branch in Potta, Chalakudy, and escaped with ₹15 lakh on Friday afternoon.

The CCTV footage of the incident, which took place around 2:15 pm at the bank located opposite Little Flower Church, has now gone viral.

Although the cash counter had ₹47 lakh, the suspect managed to grab only three bundles totalling ₹15 lakh, according to a report in Mathrubhumi.

The toll plazas and neighbouring districts are put on high alert even as the cops are trying to get leads in the case.

As per the reports, the accused was last traced to the Angamaly area, but his current location remains unknown, and the vehicle used in the crime has not been recovered.

CCTV footage shows that the man parked his scooter outside the bank. Most staff were on lunch break, leaving only the manager and an attendant inside. After threatening them with a knife, the suspect locked them in the bathroom, broke the cash counter glass using a chair, and quickly stuffed the cash into his backpack before fleeing.

Investigators say that the suspect took less than three minutes to execute the robbery. He avoided main roads, opting for smaller routes after the crime. The suspect wore a helmet, mask, and gloves, complicating identification efforts.

"It should be assumed that the suspect would have visited and observed the bank before planning the task as he was well aware about lunch break timings, number of staff and the time when the bank is not so crowded," The New Indian Express quoted K Saneeshkumar Joseph MLA as saying.