Kasargod: The police investigating the robbery at Kudlu Service Cooperative Bank’s Eriyal branch in the Kasargod district on Monday September 7. They suspect involvement of some local youth who have gone missing after the incident.

On Monday five masked men allegedly made their way into a bank in the city and looted nearly 21 kgs gold and Rs 13 lakhs cash after they tied up a staff and a customer.

It is said, the men armed with weapons entered the bank and closed all the shutters. As soon as 2 staff shouted, the men threatened them and tied them up. Then they also threatened a customer.

They then broke the lockers and went away with the gold estimated at Rs 5.28 crores and Rs 13 lakhs cash.

They further took away the gold worn by a customer and also those that the 2 staff had worn.

The incident took place at about 2 in the noon when the bank manager was out for lunch. The men escaped on 2 bikes on which they had come.

The police arrived at the spot and investigated along with the canine squad and fingerprint experts. Police have said that the investigation would be extended to Kerala as well as Karnataka. A dagger, belonging to the robbers was also found at the spot.

The bank had no security guard and CCTV cameras.

The bank faced a similar case in 2001 when 7 kgs gold was stolen at night for which 6 people were arrested.

A special team led by deputy superintendent of police, Ranjith, has been formed to nab the culprits. The department hopes to crack the case on the basis of some clues on hand.