In a significant breakthrough, the Coimbatore City Police have apprehended a 48-year-old man for allegedly stealing a substantial quantity of gold jewellery from a private school teacher's residence in the Kuniyamuthur area. The arrest, made on Thursday, led to the recovery of a major portion of the stolen ornaments.
The Burglary and Swift Police Action
The case came to light when R Jeba Martin, a 56-year-old school teacher, returned to her home at Iyyappa Nagar in BK near Kuniyamuthur on December 26. She had been away at her native place since December 24. Upon her return, she discovered that her house had been burgled and 104 sovereigns of gold ornaments were missing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) G Karthikeyan stated that a special police team was immediately formed to investigate the serious burglary case. The team meticulously analysed CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examined mobile phone location data. Their investigation revealed a crucial clue: a similar theft had occurred in the same locality earlier.
Modus Operandi and Arrest
The investigation pointed to the accused, identified as S Krishnamoorthy (48), a driver originally from Ramanathapuram district who resided in Kannappa Nagar near Rathinapuri in Coimbatore. The police determined that Krishnamoorthy had used duplicate keys to gain entry into Jeba Martin's house on the night of December 25. He then used another set of duplicate keys to open the wardrobe and steal the gold jewels.
Acting on the gathered intelligence, the police team tracked down Krishnamoorthy and arrested him from his residence on Thursday. A search led to the recovery of more than 100 sovereigns of the stolen gold ornaments from his possession. Authorities are continuing their investigations to locate and recover the remaining jewellery.
Criminal History and Ongoing Probe
Further scrutiny into the accused's background revealed a pattern of similar crimes. DCP Karthikeyan confirmed that S Krishnamoorthy is already facing burglary cases in Coimbatore, Chennai, and Mumbai. This indicates the operation of a seasoned offender who targeted homes using a specific method.
The police's prompt action in solving this high-value theft has brought relief to the victim. The case underscores the importance of enhanced security measures for homeowners, especially when away. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to piece together the full extent of the accused's criminal activities and ensure all stolen property is returned.
