How Kerala Police Cracked Potta Bank Heist Case
On February 14th, a usually quiet day in the town of Potta in Kerala, India, took an unexpected turn when a daring bank robbery took place. The Federal Bank branch was stormed by a masked robber, armed with a knife, who made off with a staggering ₹15 lakh in a matter of minutes. The entire operation was executed with precision and speed, leaving investigators scrambling to piece together the puzzle. But, as it often does, a small, seemingly insignificant detail would ultimately lead to the culprit’s capture.
The robbery, which lasted less than three minutes, began when the robber, donning a helmet and mask, entered the bank. With the knife in hand, he quickly made his way to the cash counter, where he threatened the employees and demanded the money. The staff, understandably shaken, handed over the cash, and the robber disappeared as quickly as he appeared.
The investigation that followed was a mammoth task. The Kerala Police were faced with the daunting challenge of identifying the robber and recovering the stolen money. The initial leads were scarce, and the police were struggling to make any headway. The robber had left behind no conclusive evidence, and the only witnesses were the bank employees, who were understandably shaken by the ordeal.
However, as the investigation continued, a small piece of evidence began to emerge. A shoe, which the robber had left behind at the scene of the crime, was collected by the police and sent for forensic analysis. The shoe, it turned out, belonged to a specific brand, which was relatively rare in the region. The police, thus, had a starting point to begin their search.
The police, led by Inspector Suresh, began to canvas the area, showing the shoe to local residents and business owners. It was a painstaking process, but eventually, a local cobbler recognized the shoe and told the police that he had repaired it for a man who lived in the nearby town of Perumbavoor.
Armed with this new information, the police paid a visit to the cobbler’s shop, where they found a man who matched the description of the robber. The man, who was later identified as Shibu, was taken into custody and subjected to intense questioning.
Initially, Shibu denied any involvement in the robbery, but as the interrogation continued, he began to crack under the pressure. He confessed to the crime, revealing that he had planned and executed the robbery single-handedly.
The police, meanwhile, had been working tirelessly to track down the stolen money. A nationwide alert was issued, and the police were able to recover a significant portion of the stolen cash. The remaining amount, it is believed, was spent by Shibu on various expenses, including paying off debts and luxuries.
The successful cracking of the Potta bank heist case is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the Kerala Police. The investigation, which was initially stumped by the lack of concrete evidence, was ultimately solved through a combination of old-fashioned detective work and modern forensic analysis.
As Inspector Suresh, who led the investigation, put it, “It was a challenging case, but we were determined to solve it. The shoe was a crucial piece of evidence, and it ultimately led us to the culprit. We are proud to have brought the perpetrator to justice and recovered a significant portion of the stolen money.”
The Potta bank heist case serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly impossible crimes can be solved with determination and a keen eye for detail. As the police continue to battle against the forces of crime, cases like this one will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.
Source: https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/caught-by-a-shoe-how-kerala-police-cracked-potta-bank-heist-case/
