Kovai jewellery heist: Hijacked SUV found

The gang waylaid two staff of Kalyan Jewellers proceeding to Coimbatore from Thrissur in an SUV and looted 350 sovereigns of gold jewels and 250 grams of silver ornaments worth about 98.05 lakh by threatening them. The gang members, who came in two cars, had also driven away the company’s SUV leaving the staff stranded at KG Chavady area. 

The incident, which happened during the day was recorded in CCTV cameras fixed in a petrol bunk and commercial establishments located on the stretch. The camera recordings showed two cars intercepting the SUV driven by the firm staff. 

A cop privy to the investigation ruled out the robbers to have escaped to Kerala as it was established by screening images recorded in surveillance cameras in check posts at Walayar, Velanthavalam and Kozhinjamparai areas.

As there was a suspicion that robbers had escaped to neighbouring districts, special teams of police have widened their probe by checking CCTV’s on different routes. Meanwhile on Tuesday, police received information that an SUV with broken glass panels were found abandoned at Thendral Nagar near Madukarai. 

Police recovered the car and fingerprint experts examined the vehicle for chance prints. Superintendent of Police R Pandiarajan expressed confidence that the robbery incident will be cracked in a day or two. 

“The robbers trailed the company’s car from Thrissur well aware of the transportation of jewels. We are also probing into the call records of the company staff suspecting their role in the heist. Some crucial clues have been gathered and the investigation is on the right track,” he said. 

The SP also appealed to jewellery firms to ensure proper security arrangements while transporting high valuables. “We have decided to hold a meeting with jewellery firms to insist on security aspects,” he added.