Bharuch: In a movie-like scenario, unknown thieves broke into the Amadada branch of HDFC Bank here on Friday and dragged the cash coffer out into a field with the help of a tractor. However, they had to leave the cash box there as they were unable to open it.

The attempted heist took place around 3 am on Friday. The local police are using CCTV footage to track down the culprits, and the safe, containing Rs 19 lakh, has been returned to the bank.

Bharuch Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda explained that the complex in which the bank is situated is in a deserted area with no security guard at the bank. The bank was the only operating shop in the commercial complex; the rest were closed. The adjacent shop had unlocked shutters, allowing the thieves to break through the common wall between the two shops. They managed to drag the safe to the field using a heavy-duty belt tied to the tractor, but couldn’t open it and left it in the field. “We have since returned the safe to the bank,” Chavda said. DeshGujarat