Major Jewellery Heist in Coimbatore: Burglars Loot 1 Crore Worth of Gold and Silver
In a brazen overnight theft, unidentified burglars targeted a jewellery-cum-pawnshop in Coimbatore, making off with a substantial haul of valuables. The incident occurred near Singanallur on Sunday night, while the shop owner and his family were away celebrating Mahashivaratri at a temple.
Details of the Theft and Stolen Items
The burglars broke into Mahadev Jewellers and Finance, a shop owned by Ramesh Kumar, 48, of Vasantha Nagar on Trichy Road. They stole 40 sovereigns of gold jewellery and 5kg of silver, with the total estimated value reaching approximately 1 crore rupees. The stolen items included both ornaments for sale and valuables pledged by customers, highlighting the significant loss to the business and its clients.
Timeline and Discovery of the Crime
The theft took place when Ramesh Kumar and his family were visiting a temple near Vellalore for the Mahashivaratri festival. The shop is located in the front portion of a building, with the family residing in the rear section, making it a prime target during their absence. Upon returning around midnight on Monday, the family discovered the broken shutter of the pawnshop and immediately realized the gold and silver were missing. They promptly informed the Singanallur police, who rushed to the scene to begin their investigation.
Police Investigation and Evidence Collection
Law enforcement officials have launched a comprehensive probe into the heist. Fingerprints and CCTV camera footage from the vicinity have been collected as part of the initial evidence-gathering process. A police officer involved in the case stated, "The crime was likely committed by people who knew that there was a large quantity of jewellery in the shop. Following preliminary investigation, we have collected some evidence and have also got some vital clues." This suggests the burglars may have had insider knowledge or conducted prior surveillance.
Ongoing Efforts to Apprehend the Culprits
In response to the theft, police have formed three dedicated teams to trace and apprehend the accused. A manhunt is currently underway, with authorities leveraging the collected evidence to identify suspects. The investigation is focused on analyzing the CCTV footage and fingerprints to piece together the events of the night and track down the perpetrators. The community is urged to remain vigilant as police work to solve this high-value crime.
