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.

Robbery in Federal Bank in Kerala, Robber locked Bank Staff and Looted Cash. pic.twitter.com/FJeo2Drt0L

— Hellobanker (@Hellobanker_in) February 15, 2025

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.

#Kerala: Major bank robbery at Chalakkudi

A daring bank robbery took place at the Federal Bank branch in Potta, Chalakudy, on Friday afternoon, with a lone robber holding employees hostage at knifepoint before making off with cash.

Initial reports suggest that around ₹15 lakh… pic.twitter.com/h3qDMWCVhY

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 14, 2025

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.