Ahmedabad Jewellery Employee Robbed of 5kg Silver in Elaborate Distraction Theft
In a brazen daylight robbery, an employee of a prominent Ahmedabad jewellery firm was allegedly robbed of 5 kilograms of silver worth approximately Rs 12.48 lakh. The incident occurred on a busy city road after the employee was distracted by unidentified men using a clever ruse, according to police officials.
Details of the Robbery Incident
The Ellisbridge police station registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday based on a complaint filed by Alpesh Patel, a 48-year-old employee of Hallmark Jewellers located on Science City Road. The theft occurred on Wednesday evening while Patel was transporting silver from a shop on CG Road to Manek Chowk.
According to the police complaint, Patel had been instructed by his employer to collect silver from a jewellery store at Super Mall on CG Road and deliver it to a firm in Manek Chowk. After collecting ten silver blocks weighing 500 grams each and placing them in a cloth bag, Patel exited the mall only to discover that his scooter had been towed away by traffic police.
The Distraction Scheme Unfolds
Patel proceeded to the Mithakhali towing station, retrieved his scooter, and carefully placed the silver bag in the vehicle's boot before continuing his journey toward Manek Chowk. Around 5:30 PM, near a hospital road, a motorcyclist wearing a helmet stopped him and falsely accused him of causing an accident.
The situation escalated when the same man intercepted Patel again near a spine hospital, engaging him in conversation and leading him a short distance away to show alleged damage to his motorcycle. While Patel was distracted examining the supposed damage, two other men arrived on another motorcycle, opened the scooter's boot, and swiftly fled with the valuable silver bag. The first man also departed the scene shortly after.
Police Investigation Underway
Patel immediately informed his employer and alerted the police control room before proceeding to the police station. However, since his employer was out of town at the time, he was asked to return later to lodge a formal complaint.
On Thursday, Patel, accompanied by his employer, approached Ellisbridge police, who registered a case of theft and cheating against unknown persons. Police authorities confirmed that CCTV footage from the route and nearby areas is being thoroughly scanned to identify the suspects and trace the stolen silver worth nearly 12.5 lakh rupees.
Broader Implications for Business Security
This incident highlights growing concerns about organized distraction crimes targeting valuable commodities in urban areas. The elaborate scheme involving multiple perpetrators suggests a premeditated operation rather than an opportunistic theft.
Businesses transporting high-value items are being advised to implement additional security measures, including GPS tracking for valuable shipments, multiple personnel for transport duties, and enhanced route planning to avoid predictable patterns that criminals might exploit.
The Ellisbridge police investigation continues as authorities work to identify the suspects through technological evidence and witness accounts from the busy city roads where the sophisticated robbery occurred.
