Subterranean Homesick Thieves

An unusual modus operandi of a gang of jewel thieves have left the Bangalore police flummoxed.

An unusual modus operandi of a gang of jewel thieves tunnelling their way into small neighbourhood jewellery shops have left the Bangalore police flummoxed. Seven such cases have been registered in the last two years and no one has been caught. In all cases, the police found that the thieves dug their tunnels patiently and silently, often with just sharp broken instruments and bare hands. They would start under a covered drain and come up inside the shop floor—a few metres in all. Once inside, they cleaned out the gold, silver and other valuables before escaping the same way. The police have even asked small jewellery shops, including pawn brokers, to affix CCTVs. In the last two incidents, the thieves outsmarted everyone by using gas cutters and drills to break in from the ceiling or side wall. Once inside, the masked faces first broke the CCTV cameras before robbing the place. The police suspect it’s a small gang with knowledge of digging tunnels. The only clue they have been able to chase so far is that there is a gap of at least three months between thefts. That means they probably go back to their native places and sell off the stolen goods before coming back for the next target.

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Anil Budur Lulla