Chapter 1016: Beginning the Investigation

Unfortunately, these security bars are very solid. Lu Chuan tried them carefully with gloves, and not a single one could be moved. Moreover, the gaps between these security bars are very small.

The distance between two bars is approximately 10 centimeters.

Such a narrow gap makes it completely impossible for anyone to get in.

“President Zhang, are the two security guards you arranged inside the house or outside? Do they have keys?”

Zhang Dabao, following behind, quickly answered: “These two have been outside the house all the time, and they have no access to the money.”

He continued, “But these two should be quite reliable. They’ve been working at our mine for seven or eight years. In previous years when we took out cash, we would give them a little bonus to watch it.”

“These two… should be alright?”

Lu Chuan then turned to Chen Guo.

“Have you reviewed all the surveillance from last night?”

Chen Guo nodded affirmatively, “I arranged for 4 people to go through every frame, and there was nothing unusual. After the cash was delivered yesterday evening, those who delivered the money basically left, and the finance department clocked out at 6:00 PM yesterday.”

Chen Guo is a policeman and his explanations are logical, with detailed work on his end.

“From the time finance clocked out yesterday evening until this morning when they started work, no one entered the building. Their working hours begin at 9:30 AM, and the missing money was discovered at 10:00 AM.”

Lu Chuan heard this, somewhat perplexed.

“Why was the missing money not discovered until 10:00 AM if people started working at 9:30 AM?”

Zhang Dabao stepped forward, “Because we were having a celebration conference today, everyone was at the venue early, practically no one came here, except one person from the upstairs office who came to deliver materials to me.”

Chen Guo nodded, “Indeed, this person arrived at the mine at 9:10 AM and went directly upstairs after entering the building, probably coming out within five minutes.”

“Then at 10 o’clock,” Chen Guo pointed to Zhang Dabao, “President Zhang, accompanied by several individuals, came to move the money and discovered that the two guards had been knocked out and the money had vanished.”

The sequence of events seems credible, as Chen Guo had prepared some groundwork before reporting to the Criminal Investigation Team.

“We interviewed the involved parties and the video surveillance data; everything matches, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

No issues, which is the biggest issue.

In this room, apart from entrances, only the windows lead inside, and the windows have barred steel security bars. There are no signs of damage, and Lu Chuan tried each one without any signs of loosening, so the perpetrator must have entered through the door.

Yet, there is no surveillance of anyone entering through the building entrance.

Only one possibility remains.

The windows in the first floor of the office building are not all fitted with security bars, so the perpetrator could have entered through a window in another room to evade surveillance.

Furthermore, when Lu Chuan first came in, he observed that the security work at this mine was quite impressive, with the entire mine closed off in a large compound and security staff opening the big gate upon entry.

The perpetrator’s precise knowledge of the money’s location and the number of guards watching indicates an internal personnel collusion.

Otherwise, the gate security wouldn’t let strangers in and out.

Of course, there is also the possibility that the gate security was colluding with the suspects, creating a perfect setup from inside.

“Chen Jiang, investigate the gate security.”

Lu Chuan noticed upon entry that the door is under surveillance, and with no apparent movement, it is fairly easy to confirm any irregularities by checking the surveillance.

“Also, don’t just focus on the gate security, check each security guard thoroughly. Additionally, the fences surrounding the entire mine should be examined closely for any signs of climbing.”

Chen Jiang understood Lu Chuan’s reasons; the perpetrator would definitely leave after stealing the money. If they didn’t leave through the main gate, they must have climbed over a fence, and with 10 million in cash, they should have left some clues.

“Sure, Captain Lu, I’ll go now.”

Lu Chuan nodded and looked at Sun Biao.

“Captain Sun, take your team to inspect the whole building, especially the windows of all offices on the first floor of the office building for signs of opening or climbing.”

The perpetrator couldn’t have entered out of thin air, so if they came through a window, they likely left some traces.

Sun Biao took a few people to inspect each part.

“Captain Lu, on my end…”

Chen Guo implied whether the North City Police Station could assist in any way.

“No problem, the Criminal Investigation Team has enough personnel. If we need coordination in the investigation, I’ll inform you.”

Alright, Chen Guo understood, concluding his role in this matter.

Later, this case would be entirely handed over to the Criminal Investigation Team.

“Alright then, Lu Yuan, I’ll return to the station first. Our team is nearby, so just call if you need us, and we’ll come immediately.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Lu Chuan assigned Sun Biao and Chen Jiang to investigate the surroundings and the building while he decided to personally examine the crime scene with gloves on.

It is certain that the suspect spent some time in the room where the money was placed. Despite the chaotic footprints making it impossible to distinguish the suspect’s,

Lu Chuan hopes to find other clues at the crime scene, such as fingerprints, hair, skin flakes, etc., possibly left by the suspect.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan called to have Wang Zhaokai bring his team over.

Wang Zhaokai began conducting interviews with mine personnel to understand some basic circumstances of the mine.

From the current situation, the suspect clearly knew the mine had 10 million cash and accurately knew which room it was stored in.

This indicates either internal personnel collusion or that someone from inside committed the crime.

Personally, Lu Chuan tends to believe the latter.

Therefore, it’s necessary for Wang Zhaokai to conduct interviews inside and understand the mine’s situation.

Time quickly passed, and that evening everyone returned to the Criminal Investigation Team.