According to the police, the first incident took place on the night of December 16, 2025, when an unknown person entered the bank's Etapalli branch through a window
The arrest has helped police solve two attempted theft cases at the same bank, police said. Pic/Gadchiroli Police
Etapalli police have arrested an accused involved in repeated attempts to steal from the bank at Etapalli in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra, police officials said on Friday.
The arrest has helped police solve two attempted theft cases at the same bank, they said.
According to the police, the first incident took place on the night of December 16, 2025, when an unknown person entered the bank's Etapalli branch through a window.
The accused attempted to break open the bank lockers and the ATM machine using a cutter to steal cash. However, he failed to damage the locker and ATM, and no cash was stolen.
Following the incident, a case was registered at Etapalli Police Station against an unknown person under relevant sections of the law.
Second attempt in January
While the investigation was ongoing, the same accused again tried to commit theft at the bank on the night of January 7, 2026.
He entered the bank in a similar manner and once again attempted to break open the lockers.
Police form SIT
Considering the seriousness of the repeated incidents, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal directed a focused investigation.
Under the guidance of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chaitanya Kadam and the leadership of Etapalli Police Station In-charge Machchhadr Nargoge, a special police team was formed to trace the accused.
Accused traced using technical evidence
With the help of technical evidence and confidential informants, police identified the suspect as Bibhas alias Sanju Bachchu Dey (23), a resident of PV 92, Pakhanjur, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh.
He was arrested from his residence and taken into custody.
Accused confesses during interrogation
During detailed interrogation, the accused admitted to committing both theft attempts at the bank's Etapalli branch. With his arrest, police confirmed that both cases have now been solved.
The accused was produced before a court, which granted five days of police custody till January 12, 2026, for further investigation.
The probe in the case is being carried out by Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Rohini Girwalkar of Etapalli Police Station.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior police officers, including Additional SP (Operations) M. Ramesh, Additional SP Aheri Kartik Madhira, and Additional SP (Administration) Gokul Raj G.
The investigation team included officers and police personnel from Etapalli Police Station.
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