Thrissur (Kerala), Jun 17 (PTI) A 36-year-old man allegedly attempted to rob a private bank at Athani near here on Saturday after pouring petrol on staff working at the branch, police said.

The man, identified as Lijo, a native of Thrissur, made the violent robbery attempt at 4.30 pm and was foiled due to the timely intervention of the staff and the locals, police said.

Also Read | Sudan: 17 Killed in Khartoum Airstrikes.

He was arrested by the police later.

Police said the accused made the attempt as he was suspected to have been depressed due to financial issues.

Also Read | Heatwave Deaths in Bihar: 27 Die As State Soars Under Maximum Temperature, Patna Records 44.7 Degrees Celsius Today.

"He poured petrol on the assistant manager, after which everyone in the branch got scared and rushed outside the building. Hearing the melee, the locals rushed towards the bank, apprehended the accused, and handed him over to us," police told PTI.

Police said the arrested person was a government employee working with a village office, and as per the preliminary investigation, his colleagues mentioned that he was depressed over financial woes.

A case for attempted murder and robbery has been charged and his arrest was recorded, police said, adding that he will be produced before a local court soon.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)