Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Aug 23: A group of thieves barged into two jeweller stores located at Bantwal-Moodbidri state highway in Siddakatte in the wee hours (3 am) of Thursday August 22. The thieves looted jewellery worth Rs 42.22 lac.
The thieves entered by breaking the back wall of Navarang wine shop, but they could not break the main door after which they entered ‘Swarna Prabha’ Jewellers at Vishwajyothi complex belonging to Prabhakar Acharya.
They broke the shutter and entered the shop after which with the help of a machine cutter, they broke the locker and took away 130 grams of gold, 15 kilograms of silver and also some diamond jewelry, the total worth being Rs 10 lac.
Loot after threatening security guard
For their next target, thieves planned to enter Dhanalaxmi Jewellers located opposite to the road, belonging to Chidanand from Punjalakatte.
As the thieves were busy breaking the center lock of the store, an ATM security guard Prabhakar Poojary who was nearby rushed to the shop. Meanwhile, one of the thieves threatened him by showing lethal weapons.
The rest of the thieves broke the locker with the help of machine cutter and took away jewellery worth Rs 32.22 lac.The loot consisted of 35 kilograms of silver and 370 grams of gold.
As soon as the thieves fled from the spot, the security guard informed the bakery owner who also has a shop nearby who in-turn informed the police and store owners.
Sub inspector Nagesh, Jayananda and Bantwal C A Anil S Kulkarni visited the spot.
Thieves suspected to be professionals
Looking at the technique used in the theft, it is suspected that the theft was carried out by professional thieves. The security guard during interrogation said that around 7 to 8 thieves formed the group and they fled from the spot in a vehicle after theft.
The theft has created fear and curiosity among local people. As soon as the theft news spread, hundreds of people gathered at the spot. At the wine shop, a petty theft attempt was noticed and the owner has not filed complaint.
Area one but police station two
The theft which took place at the jewelry store is located at the heart of Siddakatte town on the opposite sides of the road.
Swarna Prabha jewellers belongs to Sangabettu gram while Dhanalaxmi jewellers belongs to Kukkipady gram. Sangabettu comes under the Bantwal rural police station while Kukkipady under Punjalkatte police station limits. Hence the theft case is divided among two police stations.