Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 20: In a shocking incident, the Talapady KC Road branch of the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Society was robbed on Friday, with thieves making away with 19 kg of gold and Rs 11.7 lac in cash. The stolen gold, estimated to be worth around Rs 14 crore at current market rates, could potentially classify this robbery as one of Karnataka’s biggest in recent years.
The police are yet to confirm the exact value of the stolen items as investigations into the incident continue. Initial estimates indicate that 19 kg of gold jewellery and a significant amount of cash were looted.
The robbers entered the society’s branch armed with pistols and swords, threatening the staff before targeting 13 out of 20 trays of gold stored in the strong room. The remaining seven trays, kept in a separate compartment, were untouched. Along with the gold, the criminals stuffed Rs 11.7 lac in cash into a gunny bag and fled.
CCTV footage from a nearby building captured the robbers struggling to load the heavy bag into their getaway vehicle, a Fiat car. They later escaped toward Kerala via Talapady after abandoning and discarding some staff members’ mobile phones.
The police suspect the heist was executed by experienced robbers with local support. Four individuals who carried out the robbery inside the bank were heard speaking Hindi and are believed to be from North India, while two local individuals were reportedly stationed outside as lookouts.
The stolen gold and cash are suspected to have been transported out of Karnataka. Police believe the valuables might have been taken to other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, or Madhya Pradesh for disposal, as gold transactions would face stricter scrutiny in nearby regions like Kerala and Mumbai, where law enforcement cooperation with Karnataka police is strong.
Speaking about the incident, Krishna Shetty, president of the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Society, said, “Our society is committed to protecting customer interests. Investigations are underway, and the exact value of the stolen items will be confirmed soon. We request everyone to avoid spreading rumours and have faith that the police will resolve the case swiftly."