Chhindwara: A suspected bank robber was arrested after an attempted break-in at a Bank of India branch in Chhindwara on Saturday, where he allegedly set off a crude bomb and injured a police officer while trying to escape.
Police said the suspect entered the branch on Parasia Road after cutting through the shutter while the bank was closed. He allegedly attempted to break open the vault and lockers using a gas cutter, hammer, chisel and other tools.
Police were alerted after local residents noticed the damaged shutter. As officers entered the building, the suspect allegedly ignited a crude string bomb in an apparent attempt to create panic and flee.
During the chase, the suspect attacked a sub-inspector with a sharp weapon, causing a minor injury to the officer’s hand. Despite the injury, the officer pursued and overpowered the suspect before additional police personnel arrived.
A forensic team found signs that files inside the bank had been set on fire and confirmed that the suspect had tried to force open the lockers. However, no cash or valuables were stolen because police reached the scene before the break-in could be completed.
Police said no security guard was on duty at the bank when the incident occurred.
Investigators are questioning the suspect to determine whether anyone else was involved in the attempted robbery. CCTV footage reviewed so far reportedly shows only one person inside the bank.
