Nagpur: The MIDC police arrested a youngster who tried to dupe bank customers by inserting an iron strip into ATM machines to trap withdrawn cash. The accused was identified as Pranay Wankhede, 19, a resident of Ajni in Nagpur. He was accompanied by a juvenile in conflict with the law during the incidentThe crime came to light on Wednesday at the ATM located on Hingna Road near Wadi T-Point, within the MIDC police station limits. Jitendra Bhagat visited the ATM to withdraw Rs7,000. However, he heard an unusual sound from the machine, and the cash got stuck. Bhagat alerted the bank’s manager, Prakash Bhoyar, who was inspecting the ATM at the time. Bhoyar discovered an iron strip inserted into the cash-dispensing slot, which trapped the notes. The manager retrieved the stuck money and handed it over to Bhagat. CCTV footage revealed two individuals inserting the iron strip into the machine. Bhoyar lodged a complaint with MIDC police station. On senior inspector Gokul Mahajan directions, the detection branch (DB), launched a search. The suspects’ photos from CCTV were circulated among informants and police networks.Two persons matching the description were found roaming in Bhagwan Nagar area under Ajni police station limits. Within 24 hours, police apprehended the duo.Police said Pranay has confessed to the crime. He was produced before the Hingna Court which remanded him in one-day police custody.
