Chennai: In a daring robbery early Thursday, four armed and masked men broke into the home of a 70-year-old woman near Tiruttani, tied her up, and made off with 6.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery, silver articles, and Rs 30,000 in cash. The incident occurred in Ellappa Naidu Pettai Pudur, a locality along the Chennai-Tirupati National Highway in Tiruvallur district.
Details of the Robbery
The burglars entered through the back door of the house belonging to Suguna, a widow whose son and daughter live abroad in Hong Kong and the United States. According to police, the men were carrying knives and threatened to kill the woman if she raised an alarm. They tied her hands behind her back and forcibly removed the gold jewellery she was wearing. Subsequently, they ransacked the house and stole approximately 1 kg of silver articles and Rs 30,000 in cash.
After the assailants left, Suguna managed to reach out to her neighbours for help. The Thiruvalangadu police were alerted and a case was registered. A search for the masked men is underway. Investigators suspect that the gang arrived on two motorcycles and may be habitual offenders from neighbouring states, as similar crimes have been reported in nearby areas.
Similar Incidents in the Area
Two days prior, masked robbers threatened a woman at knifepoint and snatched her gold mangalsutra in a locality under the Thiruvalangadu police station limits. In another recent incident, silver articles were stolen from a teacher's house while the occupants were away. These recurring incidents have raised concerns among local residents.
Residents claim that inadequate police patrolling and vehicle checks have contributed to a rise in such crimes. They allege that miscreants often identify vulnerable or isolated houses and target them at night. The police have assured that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the culprits and prevent further incidents.
