Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Police arrested a 34-year-old Rajasthan man in connection with the Shamshabad ATM theft involving Rs 7.40 lakh. Four other accused remained absconding. The Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force, Shamshabad Zone, and Shamshabad Police carried out the operation with assistance from Rajasthan Police.
Police identified the arrested man as Rashid, also known as Kakoo, Yousuf and Kake. He worked as a lorry driver and hailed from Alwar district in Rajasthan. According to police, Rashid allegedly participated in three offences involving an Axis Bank ATM, a car and a motorcycle.
Police seized Rs 4,500 in cash, a Santro car, a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle, gas-cutting equipment and a gas cylinder. They also recovered two mobile phones. The total value of the seized property stood at Rs 1.84 lakh.
Shamshabad ATM theft came to light after bank alert
The Shamshabad ATM theft came to light on October 6, 2026, following an alert from Axis Bank’s Command Centre in Mumbai. The monitoring centre detected suspicious activity at the bank’s cash dispensing machine in Satamrai around 3.28 am.
Subsequently, the centre informed the Satamrai branch about the suspicious activity. Branch head Dommeti Anil alerted the police and instructed bank employees to inspect the ATM. According to investigators, the offenders sprayed paint on CCTV cameras to prevent the recording of their movements. They also cut the hooter cable to disable the alarm system.
The accused then allegedly used a gas cutter to break open the ATM and remove its cash trays. A subsequent cash reconciliation revealed a shortage of Rs 7.40 lakh, police said. During interrogation, Rashid allegedly disclosed that the group had prepared for the robbery about a month before the incident.
He and another accused, Shamshuddin, allegedly transported gas-cutting equipment and paint spray to Hyderabad in a truck. They subsequently concealed the equipment in bushes in the Pahadishareef area.
Rashid later returned to Hyderabad with three associates identified as Sohail, Faizan alias Ayaan and Rehan alias Zangi. According to police, the group first stole a motorcycle and subsequently a Santro car to facilitate the planned theft.
The accused then identified the Axis Bank ATM in Shamshabad as their target. Investigators said the group disabled the security arrangements before cutting open the machine with gas-cutting equipment. They allegedly removed the cash trays, loaded them into the stolen car and escaped.
Following the theft, the accused travelled towards Patancheru and abandoned the car. They subsequently travelled through Zaheerabad, Nanded, Amaravati, Akola, Indore and Kota before separating.
Police traced Shamshabad ATM theft accused through call records
The Shamshabad Zone Task Force used technical analysis and call detail records to trace Rashid’s movements. Investigators eventually located him at Gollapally X Roads in Shamshabad. According to police, Rashid attempted to escape when officers approached him. However, the team apprehended him.
During questioning, Rashid allegedly revealed that the group had divided the stolen cash while travelling on a sleeper bus. He reportedly received Rs 90,000 as his share of the stolen money. Police said he subsequently spent Rs 85,500 on personal expenses. The remaining Rs 4,500 formed part of the seized property.
Investigators also examined his previous criminal record. According to police, Rashid had 46 cases registered against him across Gurugram, Delhi, Faridabad, Rewari and other jurisdictions. These cases involved allegations of theft, burglary and other offences.
Police identified the four absconding accused as Sohail, Faizan alias Ayaan, Rehan alias Zangi and Shamshuddin. Sohail, Faizan and Rehan hailed from Rajasthan, while Shamshuddin was a native of Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators linked the alleged offences to three separate police stations. Shamshabad Police registered the ATM theft case under Sections 331(4) and 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Pahadishareef Police registered the motorcycle theft case under Section 303(2) of the BNS. Meanwhile, Saidabad Police registered Crime No. 345/2026 under Section 303(2) of the BNS in connection with the car theft. Police formed special teams to trace the remaining accused and continued their investigation into the three cases.
Senior Hyderabad Police officials supervised the operation. Personnel from the Shamshabad Zone Task Force, Rajendra Nagar Task Force and Shamshabad Police participated in the investigation and arrest.