Motorcycle-borne gang snatches gold from trader in Chala

Representational image.

The Thiruvananthapuram City Police have intensified the probe into the alleged theft of a significant quantity of gold allegedly snatched from a jewellery trader in Chala late Thursday.

The robbery took place shortly after the trader closed his jewellery shop for the day around 10.30 p.m. The owner, Nandakumar, was travelling towards his home in Valiyasala on his scooter when two men on a motorcycle allegedly intercepted him at Sabapathy Kovil Street and snatched his bag containing the gold before fleeing the scene.

While CCTV footage also indicated the possibility of the involvement of another person on another motorcycle that passed by the area around the same time, the police are yet to ascertain whether the motorist is a participant in the crime.

However, there are conflicting statements regarding the quantity of gold stolen. Initially, the jewellery owner told mediapersons that nearly 15 sovereigns of gold had been taken. However, the police have maintained that 2 kg of gold has been reported stolen. The same quantity has also been mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR).

The jewellery shop deals primarily in old gold purchased from other jewellery stores. The gold collected over the last week was being transported to the owner’s residence, where the jewellery was meant to be processed and purified before being resold.

The investigators suspect that the robbery may have been premeditated and carefully planned.

According to District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City Police) Arul R.B. Krishna, CCTV footage indicates that two suspects were involved in the incident. The suspects were seen riding around the area several times before the robbery, possibly monitoring the shop owner’s movements and waiting for the right opportunity.

The police are also examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify the suspects and trace the motorcycle. Identifying the vehicle’s registration number has been challenging because of poor night-time visibility, sources said.

Nonetheless, efforts are being made to obtain enhanced visuals and establish the identities of the perpetrators.

The police are also examining whether the suspects had prior knowledge of the jewellery owner’s daily travel routine and the gold he was carrying. The shop owner and his son were directed to appear at the Fort police station to record their statements.