The police on Sunday arrested Rijo Antony, a resident of Asarippara in Chalakudy, in connection with the daylight robbery at the Potta branch of Federal Bank. The accused, who stole ₹15 lakh from the bank, was arrested from his house and ₹10 lakh was recovered.
The theft occurred on Friday afternoon, when the suspect stormed into the bank, threatening the employees at knifepoint. After stealing the money, he fled the scene on his scooter. The robbery, executed in broad daylight at the busy Potta Junction near Chalakudy, rattled the local residents.
A police team of 25 officers, including experts from the Cyber Special Squad, was deployed to track down the thief. The investigation was mainly based on the CCTV footage from the bank and statements of the employees. The thief was riding a scooter with a fake number plate, wearing a jacket, helmet, and gloves.
Through their tracking, the police identified that the suspect had used a Ntorq 125 scooter. They then traced the owners of this model and eventually zeroed in on Rijo Antony, who lived just 3 km from the bank. To evade detection, Rijo Antony allegedly changed his outfit twice before returning home, in a likely bid to mislead investigators.
The police revealed that Rijo Antony’s financial issues led him to commit the robbery. He had reportedly spent all the money his wife had sent from the Gulf, where she works, and was facing mounting debts. Desperate to repay his loans, he resorted to the crime. Out of the ₹15 lakh, Rijo Antony had already spent ₹5 lakh.
Rijo Antony had returned to the country from the Gulf a few years ago. Known for excessive drinking and a penchant for a lavish lifestyle, Rijo Antony was living beyond his means, which likely contributed to his decision to steal. The police are continuing their investigation into his activities and are checking whether there are more individuals involved in the crime.
