Thrissur: New details have emerged in the Federal Bank theft case in Potta, where the accused, Rijo Antony stole ₹15 lakh and went to great lengths to mislead the police. Thrissur Rural SP Krishnakumar revealed in a press conference that Rijo was well aware of the bank’s daily routine and used this knowledge to plan the theft.

Rijo holds an account at a different Federal Bank branch, not the one in Potta where the theft occurred. Rijo entered the bank under the guise of renewing his expired ATM card. He had visited the branch for four days before the incident, carefully observing its operations. Aware that the bank remained unattended between 2 pm and 2:30 pm during lunch hours, he executed the theft during this window and took calculated steps to avoid detection.

Efforts to mislead the Police

After the robbery, Rijo altered his escape route to avoid main roads, opting for side streets to evade CCTV surveillance. He then changed out of the clothes he had worn during the theft at a location without security cameras. In total, he switched outfits three times to mislead investigators.

Rijo used his own TVS Ntorq scooter with a fake number plate stolen from a bike during the Chalakudy festival. Shortly after leaving the crime scene, he attached a rear view mirror to the scooter, which he had removed earlier, making it look different from the vehicle originally identified. When authorities checked the number plate, they found no record of such a vehicle.

Despite these efforts, one critical mistake led to his arrest—the colour under his shoes. Though he had changed outfits, the police noticed a distinct colour on the shoes, which ultimately became the turning point in the investigation.

Arrest and police findings

The police arrested Rijo from his home on Sunday night. According to SP Krishnakumar, he was visibly shocked to see the officers at his doorstep, as he had never expected to be caught. The officer added that Rijo led a lavish lifestyle, which may have contributed to his confidence in evading the law. 

Financial pressure and inconsistencies in statements

Rijo had spent seven years in the Gulf before returning to India, where he faced mounting financial obligations. While he claimed to have stolen the money to repay his debts, the police remain sceptical as he has provided inconsistent answers during questioning.

The accused admitted to being a heavy drinker and confessed to spending part of the stolen money on alcohol. Reports indicate that he had outstanding debts amounting to ₹49 lakh, of which he cleared ₹2.90 lakh using the stolen money. Investigators suspect he may have additional undisclosed funds, and further verification is required.