In Karnataka, thieves didn’t break ATM, they loaded it on a cart and took it away India News

Last updated:December 03, 2025, 11:33 IST

Initially the gang tried to break the lock of the ATM. When that failed, they changed tactics. They brought a cart, lifted the entire ATM on it and silently took it around.

In a crime that has both shocked and alarmed the police, thieves in Karnataka’s Belagavi carried out one of the most unusual ATM robberies seen in recent times in the state. Instead of attempting to break into the cash vault on the spot, the criminals stole the entire ATM machine using a pushcart, took it away quietly and disappeared into the night.

The incident took place in Hosavantmuri village in Belagavi taluk, where the India1 ATM was installed near National Highway 48. The theft occurred late at night on December 1, putting bank officials and law enforcement on full alert.

An unimaginable plan has been captured on CCTV

CCTV footage of the area shows three masked people reaching the ATM after midnight. They appeared well prepared and calm, indicating pre-planning rather than impulsive action. Within minutes, the suspects sprayed black paint on the CCTV cameras and alarm sensors inside the kiosk, causing a complete shutdown of the system.

Initially the gang tried to break the lock of the ATM. When that failed, they changed tactics. Instead of wasting time at the location, they brought a pushcart they had come with, lifted the entire ATM onto it and silently wheeled it away.

Police say the ATM was taken about 200 meters from its original location before being loaded into a car parked nearby. In a move that further confused investigators, the thieves left the pushcart near the ATM site, possibly to avoid suspicion or give the impression that nothing significant had happened.

Cash loss estimated at more than Rs 1 lakh

Preliminary estimates suggest that there was more than Rs 1 lakh in cash in the ATM at the time of the theft. As soon as the incident came to light, bank officials began an internal audit, while police began working to trace the machine and the suspects.

Locals said the ATM’s proximity to the highway may have worked in the thieves’ favor, allowing quick entry and exit without attracting attention.

Police launched intensive search operation

After the incident, a team from Kakati police station reached the spot and immediately started investigation. A dog squad, fingerprint experts and cyber crime personnel were pressed into service to collect clues.

While the internal cameras were disabled, external CCTV cameras of nearby shops and buildings captured parts of the operation. Police say that despite the suspects wearing masks, their appearance, movements and coordination suggest involvement in a professional gang.

Investigators are now analyzing footage from cameras within a 5km radius of the site in the hope of locating the vehicle used to transport the ATM.

Third ATM robbery in a month

What has added to the concern is that this is the third ATM robbery in Karnataka within the last month. Similar incidents were reported earlier in Tumakuru and Hassan districts, although those cases involved attempts to break into ATMs rather than stealing the entire unit.

Police suspect that the same gang may be behind several incidents across the state, working systematically and targeting vulnerable ATM kiosks located on highways or in less monitored areas.

Security concerns rise at highway ATMs

Pushcart thefts have raised serious questions about the security infrastructure around standalone ATM kiosks. Many are located in isolated pockets, operate without guards at night, and lack advanced tracking or alarm systems that directly alert police stations.

Law enforcement officials have stressed the need for banks to upgrade ATM security, including the installation of GPS trackers, reinforced vault anchoring systems and live alarm links, especially for kiosks near highways.

Warning to banks and authorities

Police officials say the pushcart strategy is something they have encountered for the first time. While efforts to identify and arrest suspects continue, this incident highlights how criminals are constantly evolving their methods, often exploiting gaps in routine security assumptions.

As the investigation continues, the bizarre pushcart ATM theft stands as a reminder that when it comes to crime, improvisation can be just as powerful as brute force.