Maharashtra Teen Steals 1.5kg Gold Bar in Mayiladuthurai, Arrested Hours Later
Police in Mayiladuthurai arrested a 16-year-old boy from Maharashtra on Monday night. The teenager stole a gold bar worth approximately Rs 2 crore from a jewellery processing facility near the bus stand.
Quick Theft and Swift Arrest
The gold processing unit belongs to Sukesh Pandit, a 48-year-old man from Maharashtra. Pandit hired the teenager as an employee just one week before the incident.
On Monday evening, Pandit received a consignment from a nearby jewellery shop. He processed and melted the gold into a single ingot weighing about one-and-a-half kilograms.
Around 6 pm, after completing the melting process, Pandit handed the freshly cast gold bar to the boy. He instructed the teenager to clean the bar near the workshop entrance.
The boy pretended to clean the gold bar. The moment Pandit looked away, the teenager fled the premises with the valuable ingot.
Police Launch Immediate Investigation
A shocked Sukesh Pandit immediately alerted the Mayiladuthurai police station. Officers recognized the serious nature of the theft.
District Superintendent of Police G Stalin visited the crime scene personally. He formed two special teams to track down the suspect.
Police officers reviewed CCTV footage from the commercial complex. They intensified their search operation, focusing on bus stands and railway stations.
Investigators suspected the boy might try to escape to his home state of Maharashtra. Their suspicion proved correct.
Gold Recovered Intact
Around 9:30 pm, the special police team caught the teenager near the railway station. Officers recovered the gold bar completely intact.
The police produced the boy before the Juvenile Justice Board. The board sent him to an observation home in Thanjavur.
SP Stalin praised the investigation teams for their swift and efficient response. He commended their quick work in solving the case.
Security Advice for Jewellers
The gold unit owner and local jewellery traders' association thanked the police for the rapid recovery. They expressed relief that the valuable gold bar was returned.
SP Stalin offered important security advice to jewellers and gold businesses. He warned against illegally employing minors in such sensitive operations.
The police superintendent emphasized conducting proper background checks on all employees. He stressed this as a crucial security measure.
"Jewellers transporting valuables to other locations like workshops for processing should arrange proper security escorts," Stalin added. This precaution could prevent similar thefts in the future.
The incident highlights security vulnerabilities in gold processing facilities. It demonstrates how quickly police can respond to serious crimes in the region.
