The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the heist of 20 kg of gold worth ₹6 crore from Binanipuram more than a fortnight ago is learnt to have taken four suspects into custody.
Police sources said they were being interrogated, and that their arrests were yet to be recorded. The SIT had on Thursday arrested one Bibin George from Thodupuzha in connection with the case. He was remanded in judicial custody.
It is learnt that they were arrested from near Munnar on Friday night. A former driver of CGR Metalloys Private Limited, a gold refining firm, where the gold was being transported when it was stolen, had reportedly hatched the plot and was also among the suspects in custody. He had allegedly mobilised his bands of friends to execute the plan.
The police had initially suspected the involvement of a two-member gang after it emerged that two unidentified men had robbed the gold after smashing the car in which 25 kg of gold was being transported on the night of May 9. The robbery had taken place in front of CGR Metalloys Private Limited when the car was halted for the security guard to open the gate.
The police had also come across CCTV footage of two motorcycle-borne men fleeing from the spot. The others were reportedly waiting in a car when the heist was under way.
It is not yet clear whether the police have managed to recover the stolen gold.
Meanwhile, the police are set to file a plea for the custody of the remanded accused for collecting further evidence.
