In a significant criminal event, a jewellery shop in Avadi, Chennai, was targeted in an armed robbery, leading to the loss of gold jewellery worth Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 5 lakh in cash. The affected store, Krishna Jewellers, located in Muthapudupet near Avadi, was attacked during a quiet period on what is normally a busy commercial stretch. The owner, Prakash Pukkaram, aged 33, faced the brunt of this daylight heist which occurred on a bustling but recently quieter commercial stretch.
Incident Details
The robbery unfolded around noon when four individuals, posing as customers, entered the shop. Their pretence quickly escalated to aggression as they brandished firearms, overpowering the owner. The assailants swiftly secured Prakash, using physical force including striking him with a gun when he tried to resist. They then proceeded to empty the jewellery trays and the cash locker before making their escape.
Prakash was left bound in a chair, from which he later freed himself and promptly alerted the local police, who have since launched an extensive investigation into the incident.
“We suspect there were five or six persons in total who were part of the gang. While four of them went to the shop, others were outside keeping a lookout, ” a police officer stated.
Investigative Response
The authorities have formed eight special teams to track down the culprits, using CCTV footage which captured the gang roaming the city and switching between at least four different vehicles, indicating a well-planned operation possibly aided by insider information.
Initial statements from senior police officials suggest that this robbery could be part of a worrying trend towards increasing gun-related crimes in the region. A former DSP, Arumugham, highlighted that firearms are becoming more accessible, with origins traced back to states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
“We have images of the suspects from the CCTV footage which has been distributed to other police stations. Our probe has revealed that they escaped with a car and have not crossed State borders. We are hopeful of catching the accused within 24 hours, ” a senior police officer with Avadi City Police told.
Industry Implications
For professional jewellers, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the trade, especially concerning security measures and the handling of high-value items. The fact that the stolen items included pawned jewellery, which belonged to around 140 individuals from the neighbourhood, adds a layer of complexity regarding customer trust and the financial stability of the business.
