Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Sep 27: Thieves cut through the terrace of Manappuram Gold Loan office on Mallandur Road here and decamped with booty worth Rs. 4.77 crore including nearly 14 kgs gold ornaments and Rs 8.14 lac in cash. Unconfirmed reports said that five thieves dressed in police uniforms committed this burglary. The incident occurred on the night of Saturday September 24.

The thieves scaled the building in which the finance office is located from rear side. They cut a hole enough for a person's entry through the terrace by using gas cutters. After gaining entry into the strong room of the firm, they took away all the cash and gold found inside.

The burglary came into the open on Sunday after someone noticed a hole in the building roof. As the manager of the finance firm was not available here, no one knew how much was lost. On Monday, manager of the firm, C Madhusudan, came to the office after which the loss was assessed. He later filed a police complaint, confirming that assets worth Rs 4.77 crore including gold worth Rs 3.96 crore had been stolen.

The manager said that as per CCTV footage, drilling began around 2 am on Sunday and thieves who broke steel almirahs in the strong room, made good their escape with the heist at around 5 am. He said that nobody noticed the crime as there are no houses nearby, and the office is surrounding by different commercial concerns which remain locked on holidays.

Senior officials of Manappuram Gold Loan visited the town on Monday evening and inspected the scene. A number of worried customers who had pledged gold to the firm had made a beeline to the firm's office on Monday to know the fate of their ornaments.

Senior police officers including district superintendent of police, Annamalai, visited the spot and guided the investigation. Annamalai has formed an investigating team to nab the thieves involved.