Burglars broke into the branch of a private financial institution at Gangavalli here and escaped with about 5.520 kg of gold jewellery, and Rs. 1.34 lakh.
The incident came to light when Muthoot Finance Company’s manager Murugesan (32), and two employees opened the bank on Tuesday morning. They found the lockers opened, and the jewellery missing. The bank was closed at 5.45 p.m. on August 13.
The police said that burglars broke open the iron grill of a window in the back side of the building to enter it. The strong room was apparently opened using a duplicate key.
About 160 gm of jewellery has been left behind in the locker. The ornaments are pledged by people to obtain loans, the police added.
Sources said that the alarm and the surveillance cameras in the bank were not functioning and the branch did not have any security personnel guarding the premises. The police said the burglary could have been carried out by more than one person on Sunday or Monday when the bank was remaining closed. Forensic experts and sniffer dog were pressed into service.
Pari, IG, West Zone; P. Nagarajan, DIG, Salem Range; P. Rajan, Superintendent of Police; visited the branch and held inquiries with the manager and the employees.
Later, Mr. Pari told reporters here that five special teams had been formed to nab the accused.
