Gang robs businessman’s house, ties women, steals cars

The incident happened in the afternoon when Benjamin, running a furniture shop at Palayamkottai, went to his shop. His wife, Mercalin and their daughter, Sugi Mary, were alone in the house. The three robbers knocked on the door and when it was opened, they barged inside and tied down the women. They threatened the women with knives and took away 100 sovereigns of jewellery from the bureau. They escaped in the two cars of Benjamin that were parked outside the house. 

When the women managed to untie the knots, they contacted Benjamin who, in turn, informed the police. Palayamkottai police reached the spot and carried out investigation at the house. In the meantime, all the neighbouring police stations were alerted about the car theft and the robbers. When the Kayathar police, in Thoothukudi district, were involved in search operation they saw two speeding cars. They tried to stop them but in vain. Immediately, the police followed the cars and intercepted one of them near the Salaipudhur post in Thoothukudi district. 

However, another car sped away on the Kayathar-Kazhugumalai Road. In the car that was intercepted, one of the two persons escaped. The other one identified as Iman, from Ramaiyanapatti in Tirunelveli district, was held by the police. When he was interrogated, he confessed that he was one among the three to rob the women and based on the information he was handed over to Palayamkottai police for investigation. 

Police are also interrogating Iman about the identity of other two persons and the place where the stolen jewels are hidden.