Thrissur Federal Bank Heist: How Police Used Digital Clues To Catch 49-Year-Old Robber

Thiruvananthapuram: The peculiar colour of his luxury shoes and his indelible digital footprint led the police to a posh and palatial bungalow from where they arrested Rijo Antony, 49, the man allegedly involved in Friday’s heist at the Federal Bank branch in Potta, in Thrissur district. He was taken by the police from his residence in Asharippara in Thrissur district to the crime scene Monday.

About The Case

Rijo was surprised when the police knocked at his door. The police too were equally surprised to see Rijo’s exuberant lifestyle. He carried out the robbery because he had blown up the money sent by his wife who works abroad as a nurse. She was due to come on leave next month and Rijo was in urgent need of Rs 15 lakh that he had splurged on friends, throwing lavish parties.

Superintendent of Police B Krishnakumar told reporters that the suspect had been planning the robbery for several months, observing the daily functioning of the bank, staff timings and patterns. On Friday afternoon, the suspect came in a two-wheeler, threatened the bank staff using a kitchen knife, and made away with Rs 15 lakh, though the cash tray had Rs 45 lakh. The police have recovered the stolen cash.

Police collected hundreds of CCTV visuals and details of mobile towers around the bank as part of their investigation. Officers realised that the number plate on the two-wheeler used by the suspect was fake and zeroed in on the peculiar colour of the shoes he was wearing. Rijo had come to the bank a few days ago wearing the same shoes.

After the heist, Rijo took pocket roads to confuse the police and travelled almost 10 km though his house was just 2 km away from the bank. CCTV footage also caught him changing his dress multiple times but did not change his shoes.

Rijo was working abroad but lost his job during the Covid pandemic. Through her savings, his wife purchased a bungalow and Rijo was looking after their two kids.