Santa Cruz heist: Robbers may have been aware of CCTV locations, say cops

MUMBAI: The robbers behind the Santa Cruz heist were able to escape using the local bylanes as they could have been aware of the exact locations of CCTV cameras on the main roads, suspect the police. The Santa Cruz and Khar police are verifying CCTV footage from other roads in the neighbouring areas for leads.
On Monday, an armed robber shot at a petrol pump cashier in Santa Cruz (W) and escaped with a bag, along with an accomplice, containing Rs 1.36 lakh. His accomplice was waiting on a motorbike and the duo escaped with the bag.
The cashier was on his way to deposit the money in a bank along with two other pump employees. Cops said the victim was out of danger.
A police officer said there was no CCTV camera at the site of the incident and they were checking footage from other roads in the area.
The cops also pointed out that CCTV cameras installed in the Khar-Santa Cruz belt failed to capture the accused while they were escaping after the heist. "We suspect that the robbers were aware of the exact locations of the CCTV cameras and used the bylanes to escape," said an officer.
Santa Cruz senior inspector Madhukar Choudhari said CCTV footage from one of the roads showed the side view of a motorcycle, but it was of little use. "We are not sure if those caught on camera were the robbers." The police are verifying the records of robbers released from jail recently and are also seeking details of stolen bikes.
"We are also trying to find out if any former petrol pump employee is involved in the crime. We believe someone who was aware of the routine of the petrol pump staffers had provided information to the robbers," an officer said.
The police said while SV Road did not have CCTV cover, cameras had been installed on other roads in such a manner that they could monitor vehicles from the police station and identify number plates. They had covered all the entry and exit point between western side of Bandra to Santa Cruz with CCTVs which are connected to three police stations-Bandra, Khar and Santa Cruz.