About Rs. 13 lakh in cash was reportedly stolen from a businessman by diverting his attention here on Friday.
T. Ravindran (51), a resident of Dhanarathinam Nagar and running a steel mart, was proceeding to a bank to deposit the money when the crime was committed. Police sources said that as he was apparently asked to wait in the bank, the businessman left for a restaurant in the meantime to have lunch.
He stopped near the Corporation office and was speaking on his mobile phone when a stranger asked him for directions to Chennai.
After replying, the businessman found the bag missing from the vehicle.
The stranger, apparently, diverted the attention under the pretext of asking for the route and made away with the bag containing cash.
