In a brazen daylight burglary, thieves made off with a significant quantity of gold jewellery from a house in Aluva, Kochi, while the owners were overseas. The Aluva police have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, which has left the local community on edge.
Details of the Thottakkattukara Theft
The crime took place at a residence located on Old Desom Road in the Thottakkattukara area. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the burglars stole approximately 7.5 sovereigns of gold that was securely stored inside a locker. The stolen items include a range of precious ornaments: three chains, two bangles, six pairs of earrings, and a pair of anklets.
The house owner and his family were in Australia when the theft occurred, leaving the property unoccupied and vulnerable. The police registered the case based on the statement provided by the owner's brother-in-law, who likely discovered or reported the crime.
Timeline and Method of the Break-in
Investigators have narrowed down the time of the burglary to a window between 10 am on December 31 and the evening of Sunday, January 5. The perpetrators forcibly entered the home, after which they targeted and broke open the locker to access the gold.
This method of operation—targeting an empty house and forcing open secured containers—suggests a degree of planning by the criminals. The police have initiated evidence collection from the scene, hoping to find fingerprints, footprints, or other forensic clues that could lead to the identification and arrest of the burglar.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
The Aluva police have registered the case under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific charges include:
- Section 331(4) for lurking house-trespass or house-breaking.
- Section 305(a) for committing theft in a dwelling house.
- Section 334(1) for dishonestly breaking open a receptacle containing property.
The application of these sections indicates the serious nature of the crime, which involves both unlawful entry and the violation of the security of a home. Police officials have confirmed that active efforts are underway to track down the suspect(s) involved.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for residents, especially those planning travel, to review their home security measures. Ensuring robust locks, informing trusted neighbours, and considering alarm systems can be crucial deterrents against such targeted thefts.
