Kochi: In a pre-dawn heist, a four-member gang robbed bus passengers of gold and cash near Bengaluru in the wee hours of Thursday.

The 45 passengers on the bus from Kozhikode were in slumber. The bus had stopped at a deserted place near Channapatna, about 65 km from Bengaluru, as the driver had to attend nature’s call.

A four-member gang came in two-wheelers. Wielding knives, they entered the bus, threatened passengers and took away cash and gold. They fled as soon as the driver got in.

The bus was taken to the police station and a complaint was registered. The passengers were sent to Bengaluru in another bus.