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Published 15:35 IST, October 6th 2020

Taking cue from YouTube videos, businessman robs two banks in Bhubaneswar; held

A 25-year-old garment seller robbed two banks in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar to recover losses suffered during the lockdown by taking lessons from YouTube videos

Reported by: Gloria Methri
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A 25-year-old garment seller robbed two banks in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar to recover losses suffered during the lockdown by taking lessons from YouTube videos, said police on Monday.

The accused, identified as Soumyaranjan Jena (25), also known as Tulu, hails from Tangibanta village on the outskirts of the city. He had mugged Indian Overseas Bank and Bank of India in September using toy guns, the police said.  Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Sarangi told media that the accused had taken loans from both the banks and was facing financial strain due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown.

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"The businessman wanted to recoup losses suffered during the lockdown and robbed two banks of Rs 12 lakh in Bhubaneswar. He looted the Indian Overseas Bank, near Infocity area on September 7, and the Bank of India's Barimunda branch in Mancheswar area on September 28.

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He got the idea of robbing bank while watching YouTube videos and used a toy gun to rob the two banks. Police recovered cash amounting to over Rs 10 lakh and seized the vehicle and the toy gun used in the robbery," the police commissioner said.

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Jena had allegedly barged into the bank wearing a helmet when only a few staff members were present and asked them to hand over the cash. The accused, who has accounts in both the banks, had taken a loan of nearly Rs 19 lakh and already paid 6 lakhs to the bank."He was arrested when he went to deposit Rs 60,000 from the looted money. He assumed that if he will deposit small amounts of cash, nobody will doubt him," Police Commissioner said.

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(With inputs from agency)

(Image for representation)

15:35 IST, October 6th 2020