Alappuzha(Kerala): The Cooperative Bank No 2145 at Karuvatta, Alappuzha was robbed during the Onam break, police said on Thursday.
Burglars struck a bank near here and got away with 4.5 kg of gold ornaments and Rs 4.5 lakh in cash by breaking into the strong room using a gas- cutter.
The burglars entered the bank through the main entrance but exited the premises through a window after locking the main door. The bars of the side window were broken, police sources said.
The CCTV cameras of the bank and the hard disk with the footage are missing.
An LPG cylinder and oxygen cylinder used for the theft were left behind by the burglars.
The theft came to light when the secretary of the cooperative bank in Karuvatta village reached the premises to resume operations after Onam holidays, they said.
It is suspected that more than one person was involved in the crime.
Forensic experts have examined the premises.
Though a police canine was used for detecting the smell of culprits, the search was abandoned after the dog stopped at a shop outside the bank. The water on the bank's floor also threw off the scent.
A special team has been set up to probe into the theft.