Surat: Rural police have arrested two men for allegedly conspiring with a Haryana-based ATM-cutting gang to target cash machines during the festive season, when they typically are stocked with more cash.The duo allegedly reconnoitred the ATMs and helped during attempted break-ins in Surat and Tapi districts.Local crime branch arrested Lalsinh Dohari and Imran Saiyed on Thursday, while four suspects linked to the group remain absconding.Police said the arrests followed investigations into two ATM break-in attempts and a vehicle theft case. At 3.11am on Tuesday, the accused allegedly tried to break into a State Bank of India ATM near Kamrej Crossroads.Investigators said the group sprayed a substance on the CCTV camera to obstruct surveillance before trying to cut into the ATM with a gas cutter. During the operation, the machine caught fire, forcing the suspects to flee. Bank officials later lodged an FIR at Kamrej police station.During the investigation, police linked the attempted break-in to a car resembling a vehicle stolen from Bagumara village in Palsana taluka. Acting on intelligence about the movement of two suspects, officers tracked and intercepted Dohari and Saiyed in a car on the Khanpur-Vasandarundhi road in Surat district.According to police, the accused enlisted a gang from Haryana known for ATM-cutting offences to execute the theft. Investigators said the duo surveyed the Kamrej ATM and shared information with the gang.“Dohari was part of a few ATM-breaking gangs earlier and later started giving tips. He, along with Saiyed, called the gang and did reconnaissance of the ATM,” police said.Police recovered a gas cutter, spray paint cans, parts of a stolen car, two stolen cars and other tools allegedly used in ATM break-ins.Investigators also linked the group to an attempted ATM break-in within the Valod police station limits in Tapi district. Efforts are on to trace and arrest the remaining accused.
