Gang flees with Rs 1.5 crore TASMAC cash after staging vehicle crash in Kancheepuram

CHENNAI: A gang allegedly stole a car carrying Rs 1.5 crore in TASMAC collection money after staging a road accident near Oragadam in Kancheepuram district on Tuesday (November 10) night. Police recovered Rs 18 lakh from near a private engineering college, where the gang reportedly abandoned the stolen car after transferring the cash to another vehicle.

According to police, private bank agents collect sales proceeds from TASMAC outlets across Kancheepuram district. On Tuesday night, Das (52), a private bank agent from Chennai, and hired car driver Habeeb Rahman (38), were travelling in a car after collecting money from more than 20 TASMAC outlets in the district.

At around 9.30 pm, they went to a TASMAC outlet operating in a forest area under the Oragadam police station limits. While Das went inside the outlet to collect money, Rahman remained in the car.

Meanwhile, a group of unidentified persons allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and deliberately rammed it into the rear of the car. When Rahman got out to question them, the suspects allegedly distracted him and drove away with the car containing around Rs 1.5 crore.

The gang reportedly drove the vehicle for around 10 km along the Walajabad-Vandalur road towards Padappai before stopping near the road leading to a private engineering college at Karanithangal. They then transferred the cash to another car and fled.

On receiving information, Oragadam police rushed to the spot and began an investigation. After locating the abandoned car near the college, police found Rs 18 lakh lying on the ground nearby. Investigators suspect that the money fell while the gang was hurriedly transferring the stolen cash to another vehicle.

A case has been registered and police are investigating whether the suspects had prior information about the collection schedule and route. They are also examining the possibility of an insider's involvement.

Police are questioning both Rahman and Das. Their mobile phone records, including incoming and outgoing calls and WhatsApp calls, are also being examined.

Five special teams have been formed under the leadership of the Sriperumbudur Deputy Superintendent of Police to trace the suspects. Police are also examining CCTV footage from the TASMAC outlet and the Karanithangal area.

The incident has caused concern in the Oragadam and Sriperumbudur areas.