Honnavar, July 19: Unidentified thieves broke into the Karki branch of Kanara District Central Cooperative Bank near here and made away with 3.5 kg of gold and a cash amount of Rs 1.96 lakh in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
Police sources said that the bank which is being run in a rented house has no security guards. Moreover, there was no alarm system inside the bank.
Bhatkal Deputy Superintendent of police M Narayana said that the thieves gained entry into the bank by breaking open the front shutter and doors.
“The thieves break open the strong room using the electric cutters. Then they broke open the steel cupboards and treasuries and took away the gold which was mortgaged by the customers,” he said.
Mr Narayana said that it appeared to be the handiwork of the professional gangs. However, he said that the negligence of the bank authorities was the main reason for theft.
He said that special teams were formed to nab the culprits.
Superintendent of police K T Balakrishna among other senior police officers visited the spot. Fingerprint experts and a sniffer dog squad were called in. A case has been registered at Honnavar police station.
