Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, May 13: Over a month after a massive theft at a house in Ballamanja near Madanthyar, the Punjalkatte police remain clueless about the culprits, turning the unsolved case into a major headache for the department. Valuables, including gold ornaments and cash worth approximately Rs 19.32 lac, were stolen during the incident.
The theft occurred on April 5 at the residence of D Murali in Hosamane, Ballamanja. The entire family had locked the house and gone to attend the Brahmakalashotsava and Jatra at the local Ballamanja temple. Capitalising on their absence, burglars broke the front door lock, gained entry, and broke open the wardrobe to loot 136 grams of gold jewellery and Rs 6 lac in cash.
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Though the police visited the spot immediately after the incident and registered a case, no concrete leads have been obtained so far. The investigation is reportedly progressing based on mobile tower locations and the tracking of habitual offenders. The police are also gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to monitor suspicious movements. While sources suggest some suspects have been taken in for questioning, the police have not officially confirmed any breakthrough in identifying or nabbing the accused.
The scale of the theft has triggered widespread anxiety among the villagers. Locals suspect that an organised gang is specifically keeping tabs on houses that are left locked when families attend public functions, weddings, or temple fairs.
Expressing their dissatisfaction over the lack of progress even after a month, the residents have urged the police department to intensify the probe, crack the case swiftly, and arrest the culprits to restore a sense of security in the area.