Tirumangalam heist: Four held with 4 kg gold

Investigating officers said they had earlier detained Don Bosco (32) for interrogation on suspicion, and based on his inputs, Kathikuthu Devaraj (26), R Rajakumaran (21) and A Mahidul Shiek (34) were arrested. Officers added that Don Bosco and Devaraj hatched the plan to burgle the shop, while Rajakumaran and Mahidul Shiek, both from Vyasarpadi, help them sell the stolen gold articles. 

Though it was initially reported that about 10 kg gold jewels were missing from the shop, AKS Jewellery, police now estimate that less than seven kg gold was taken away by the burglars on that night. Seven special teams under Anna Nagar Deputy Commissioner were hunting for the burglars. 

On March 5 night, burglars had gained entry into the jewellery after breaking the iron closure on the terrace of the four-storey building located on Second Avenue, Anna Nagar West. The gang stole nearly 10 kg of gold, silver articles and Rs 6 lakh kept in the cash drawer. The burglars also damaged the CCTV cameras and took away the digital video recorder (DVR) that saved the footage. 

Sivasankaran and Ayyappan, from Periyakulam in Theni district, have been running the jewellery shop in the locality for the last six years. The shop was moved to the present premises four years ago. 

This was the second major jewellery burglary reported in the city after Mahalakshmi Jewellery in Kolathur was burgled by a north Indian gang on November 16. Police eventually arrested the main accused Nathuram and his gang members, but after much struggle, including an incident that cost the life of an inspector.