Gunmen Seize Entire ATM in Madanapalle Industrial Zone Heist
An armed four-man crew uprooted a State Bank of India ATM containing ₹13.5 lakh in the early hours of Saturday. Local residents were held at gunpoint during the high-speed escape in Annamayya district.
Armed Gang Defies Civic Resistance
In a brazen criminal operation on July 25, 2026, a four-member gang successfully uprooted an entire State Bank of India (SBI) ATM from the Industrial Estate located on CTM Road. The theft occurred during the early hours of Saturday in Madanapalle, situated within the Annamayya district. Witnesses who attempted to intervene were met with lethal force, as the suspects reportedly brandished firearms to secure their exit. The group loaded the heavy machine into a waiting truck and fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive.
Detailed Losses and Investigative Response
Official loss assessments provided by Murali Krishna, the bank’s local Administrative Officer, confirm the machine held ₹13.5 lakh in cash at the time of the robbery. The scale of the heist has triggered an immediate regional mobilization of security forces. Superintendent of Police Dheeraj Kunubilli and Additional SP Venkatadri have established specialized units to track the perpetrators and recover the stolen assets.
High-Tech Manhunt Underway
Authorities have extended their search perimeter to include several key transition points. Current tactical operations include:
- Deployment of multiple special police teams across the district.
- Drone-assisted aerial surveillance concentrated on Reddivaripalle and Agraharam villages.
- Strategic checkpoints established on major transit routes leading out of Annamayya.
The investigation remains active as police analyze surveillance footage and forensic evidence from the CTM Road terminal to identify the four suspects involved in the armed theft.
Source: The Hindu — National
