All that work, and just Rs. 2,000 to show for it

Miscreants, who dug a tunnel from a storm-water drain to the adjoining shop of a pawnbroker in Mahadeshwara Layout in Hebbal in the city on Sunday night, made away with Rs 2,000 kept in the cash box at the shop.

The miscreants made a futile bid to break open the locker containing gold and silver articles.

The police said Amar Ram, the owner of the shop Hari Bankers and Jewellers closed shop at around 10 p.m. on Sunday. He also switched off the CCTV camera.

The miscreants, who entered the shop through the tunnel, escaped from the same route after their efforts to break open the locker failed. The tunnel had a small opening leading into the shop from the storm-water drain running in front of the shop. The opening was barely enough for a thin person to scrape through, said officials.

The burglary came to light only on Monday morning when Amar opened the shop at around 8.30 a.m. He immediately informed the police, who rushed to the spot.

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the shop to catch a glimpse of the tunnel that had been dug up to lead to the shop.