Newskarnataka-Bantwal
Bantwal : Valuables worth nearly Rs 42.22 lakhs including gold and silver ornaments were burgled by thieves who broke into two jewellery shops at Siddakatte on the Bantwal-Moodbidri State Highway during the early hours of August 22, Thursday.
After a vain bid to burgle Navarang Wine Shop by drilling a hole in the back wall, the thieves gained entry into the Swarnaprabha Jewellers at Vishwajyothi Complex by breaking open the shutters and lockers using gas cutters. They then stole valuables worth Rs 10 lakhs including 130 grams of gold, 15 kg silver and some diamond jewellery. The shop belonged to one Prabhaker Acharya.
The next target of the thieves was Dhanalakshmi Jewellers which was on the other side of the road. Here too the same tactic was followed and they robbed jewels worth Rs 32.22 lakh. Prabhaker, a security guard of a nearby ATM who rushed to the jewellery shop on hearing the sound, was threatened by the thieves who brandished weapons.
According to the security guard, they then reportedly fled in a vehicle which was in waiting. Soon the owners of the shops and the police were informed. Hundreds of people also gathered in the area on hearing the news. The thefts have also instilled fears in the minds of locals. It is believed that the thefts were the handiwork of some professional thieves.
Investigations are in progress.