Soro: Even as mounting cases of theft and robbery have kept the police on toes, miscreants looted an SBI ATM and decamped with cash worth lakhs in Odisha's Balasore district on Sunday. 

The loot was carried out at the SBI ATM kiosk on Bagudi-Jodamba Chhak within Soro police limits at around 2.30 am. 

As per preliminary reports, miscreants entered the kiosk after opening the shutter lock. They then sprayed black paint on the CCTV before breaking open the ATM with the help of a gas cutter. Affter removing cash from the machine, they pulled the shutter down and fled. The owners of the building got to know about the loot when the alarm system was triggered and then informed the police.

Although the exact amount of cash looted has not been established yet, initial probe revealed that the ATM had been replenished on Saturday. 

Official sources said further details of the cash loot will be revealed after a scientic team and bank authorities reach the spot. 

Police meanwhile initiated an investigation. No arrest had been made till reports last came in.