Mangaluru: Gold jewellery weighing around 321 grams and cash were stolen from a locked house near Thirumalaguttu in Kilpady village, Mulki, on Saturday. Police have formed two teams to trace the burglars.
The theft occurred at the residence of Shakeela Poojary and her husband Harish. Harish had left for work on Saturday morning, while Shakeela travelled to Mulki on a two-wheeler with Dilshad, a tenant staying on the upper floor of the house.
The two later travelled by bus to Shanaishchara Temple in Padu Panambur, Pavanje Temple and Karnad Santhe.
House burgled in owners’ absence
When Shakeela and Dilshad returned home in the evening, they found that the house had been burgled. As there are no houses in the immediate vicinity, the burglary reportedly went unnoticed.
The burglars allegedly broke the latch of the iron front door using a heavy tool before entering the house.
They then opened a cupboard and stole gold jewellery belonging to the family. The stolen jewellery included six bangles, one kanthahara, two chains, four pairs of earrings, 15 rings and a karimani chain.
According to the complaint, the total gold jewellery stolen weighed around 321 grams, equivalent to 39 pavan.
The burglars also took Rs 10,000 in cash and coins worth around Rs 2,000.
Clothes, including a churidar belonging to Shakeela’s daughter, were also reportedly taken. One karimani chain was left behind by the burglars.
After entering the house, the burglars allegedly latched the gate from inside before fleeing the scene.
Suspicious persons seen near house
Shakeela reportedly told the police that some suspicious persons had been seen moving around the house on the previous day.
Following the complaint, a dog squad and fingerprint experts visited the scene along with Mulki police station officer Srikanth.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify those involved in the burglary.
Two police teams formed
Police have formed two teams to investigate the theft and trace the suspects.
One team is examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, including cameras installed near the railway track. The second team is conducting checks in and around Mulki and the adjoining border areas.
Police have not yet obtained any concrete leads regarding the identity of the burglars.
The investigation is also focusing on the movements of suspicious persons reported in the area before the theft and on possible escape routes used by the suspects.
Recent thefts raise concern
The latest incident has caused concern among residents of the Kilpady-Shimanthur area, particularly amid reports of recent thefts within the Mulki police limits.
Gold jewellery worth lakhs of rupees was recently stolen from a house in Kavatharu. In another incident, valuables belonging to a deity were stolen from the Kilpady Kordabbu Daivasthana.
Residents have expressed concern over what they describe as inadequate police patrolling in the area.
They also claimed that suspicious sounds had been heard near a house a few days before the theft at the Kordabbu Daivasthana and that police patrol personnel had been informed about the matter.
The latest burglary has renewed calls from residents for increased night patrolling and closer monitoring of isolated residential areas.
Police, meanwhile, are continuing their investigation and examining CCTV footage and other available evidence to establish the identity and movements of the suspects.