The police have made significant progress in their investigation of an audacious heist involving a private company driver who fled with Rs. 75 million meant for bank ATM deposits. The incident occurred the day before yesterday (18). Authorities have arrested a key suspect and recovered approximately Rs. 40 million of the stolen money.
A senior police officer described the swift apprehension of the mastermind as a remarkable success, achieved within just 24 hours of the crime.
The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old resident of Makewita, had hidden the stolen money at his home in the same area. The theft occurred while the driver was transporting cash from the company’s Seeduwa branch to various bank ATMs in Minuwangoda.
Details of the Heist
The incident unfolded when the driver bypassed security measures during a routine cash deposit. After completing deposits at three banks in Seeduwa, the driver proceeded to Minuwangoda with cash collected from ATM deposit machines.
Gampaha Divisional Police Chief, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jagath Rohana, explained that the driver seized an opportunity to escape while security guards were preoccupied with depositing money into a bank ATM. At the time, the mini-van carrying the cash was momentarily left under his control.
The heist appeared to be premeditated, as investigations revealed that the driver had coordinated with accomplices to execute the theft.
Key Developments
Police Media Spokesperson, DIG and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa, confirmed that the getaway vehicle was later found abandoned in Galboda, Gampaha. The police promptly released a photograph of the suspect driver to the media.
The driver, identified as 37-year-old Indimuni Thushara Indika Soysa from Kimbulapitiya, Katana, had been employed by the private cash transport company for two years. Known for his reliability, he had gained the company’s trust, making his actions particularly unexpected.
Further investigations revealed that after abandoning the van, the driver was picked up by an accomplice on a motorcycle. The accomplice was identified as 40-year-old W.A.D.S. Ranasinghe, a resident of Walpola, Udugampola, Asgiri.
The police have also released a photograph of Ranasinghe to the public in connection with the case.
Investigation Team
The investigation, led by Gampaha Division SSP Jagath Rohana and SSP Nalaka Senanayake, has seen active involvement from the Gampaha Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, headed by Chief Inspector Kosala Liyanarachchi.
The dedicated team includes Sub-Inspectors Wickramasinghe, Madhuranga, Udayashantha, Sergeants Pushpananda, Dhanapala, Seneviratne, Weerasuriya, and Constables Lakshan, Dilshan, Pradeep, and Lakmal, along with Police Sergeant Driver Hettige.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to apprehend additional suspects and recover the remaining stolen money.
