Gold jewellery weighing nearly 100 sovereigns was reported stolen from a jewellery outlet at Sowripalayam here on Friday night.
According to police sources, the outlet, Sri Hari Jewellery, is located on the first floor of a commercial building near Sowripalayam bus stop. The outlet is owned by T. Shankar and his wife S. Usha, who managed the outlet on their own and did not have employees.
Police said that around 6 a.m. on Saturday, the owner of the building, Mohan, saw a portion of the shutter damaged and informed Mr. Shankar, who alerted the police. “The shutter was cut open for about a foot high and two feet wide,” police said.
Inquiry revealed that the door leading to the stairs to reach the first floor was locked.
The burglars managed to climb to the first floor using a rope.
“Slipping away with the jewellery is not a tough task for the burglars as the shop did not have a safety locker to keep the valuables at night. The outlet also did not have a CCTV camera or lock for the showcase.
The stolen jewellery includes ear rings, rings and chains that were displayed in the wall and table showcase that did not have a lock.
However, silver jewellery was untouched,” the police added.
Police suspect that the theft could have been committed between 1 a.m. and 3.30 a.m., as the building owner claimed that he was there till 1 a.m. and a milk booth and a bakery, opposite the building, was opened at 3.30 a.m.
The police said that the burglars used a gas cutter to cut open a portion of the shutter and gained entry into the outlet.
Three special teams have been formed to nab the burglars, police said.
The police also said that they were in the process of taking stock of the missing valuables, as the owner of the jewellery outlet claimed that 1,015 grams of gold jewellery (worth more than Rs. 26 lakh) was stolen.
A case has been registered and investigations are on.
