Masked Indian bank robber uses chilli powder, caught
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 28-year-old unemployed man allegedly stormed a State Bank of India branch in Nagpur district, Maharashtra, and used chilli powder to overwhelm staff before fleeing with about 453,000 rupees in cash. He was later arrested after bank staff and police tracked him down, with both reports saying the stolen money was fully recovered.
Key Points
- The robbery happened at about 6pm on Thursday, September 10, at a State Bank of India branch in Nagpur district in Maharashtra, according to both reports.
- The suspect was identified as Suraj Borker, 28, described as unemployed; SingTao said he covered his face with white cloth and wore a red long shirt and black trousers
- CCTV footage showed him throwing red chilli powder at unsuspecting bank employees, then chasing staff inside the branch to keep spraying them in the eyes.
- During the chaos, he jumped or rushed behind the open counter area and took about 453,000 rupees, reported as roughly HK$32,000 to HK$37,000.
- SingTao said a bank employee immediately gave chase and helped patrol officers arrest him within 30 minutes about one kilometre away, while am730 said police caught him within hours after reviewing CCTV.
Why It Matters
The case shows how a low-tech irritant can briefly paralyse an open-counter banking hall and create enough confusion for a robbery to succeed, even without firearms. For Hong Kong readers, it is a reminder that branch layout, staff response and rapid coordination with nearby patrol officers can be decisive in limiting losses and speeding up arrests.