Burglars loot Rs 8 crore worth jewels from bank in Tiruvallur using duplicate keys

The suspects managed to carry out the operation without attracting attention over the weekend at the bank located in the first floor of a building in Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, Tiruvallur.

Employees of the bank reached the branch after the two-day holiday and found the shutters as well as the door open. They also found the locker open with the jewellery pouches inside missing.

Interestingly, the intruders had not tampered with the private lockers belonging to customers. At least Rs 25 lakh kept in the bank was also left behind.

While a supermarket is situated in the ground floor of the building, a private firm functions in the second floor. Police said there is a security guard for the supermarket but none for the bank and the office. Special teams have been formed to probe the case, said a police officer, adding that CCTV footage from buildings nearby would be examined to trace the culprits.

Police have not ruled out insiders’ role in the burglary since the burglars had used duplicate keys to enter the facility and have started questioning the bank staff.

“We believe that the intruders used duplicate keys,” said police. Forensic experts lifted fingerprints from the scene and a sniffer dog was brought to the spot.

As the news started spreading, hundreds of customers thronged the bank. Many had pledged the jewels for weddings, children’s education etc, and were worried, police said. However, bank officials told the customers that the jewels were insured.