In a significant breakthrough, Bengaluru police have apprehended a four-member gang, including two employees, for allegedly orchestrating a high-value theft at their employer's residence. The stolen property, including gold, silver, and cash worth an estimated Rs 1 crore, has been successfully recovered.
The Discovery and the Stolen Loot
The case came to light when builder Gopal Shinde, 59, returned to his home on Hesaraghatta Main Road in Vaderahalli after a week-long family trip to Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. He had left on December 23. Upon his return, he was met with a scene of disarray: the back door was open, cupboard doors in the master bedroom were broken, and household items were strewn about.
A thorough check revealed a massive theft. The list of stolen items included:
- Gold ornaments such as chains, bangles, earrings, three mangalya chains, three bracelets, and eight rings.
- Approximately 13 kilograms of silver articles.
- An Apple laptop.
- Watches, including a gold watch, a Rolex, and an Apple Watch.
- Cash amounting to Rs 10 lakh.
The Investigation and Arrests
Acting swiftly, the police began an investigation that led them to scrutinize CCTV footage from the area. The footage provided crucial clues pointing towards the involvement of the accused. The police identified and tracked down two suspects to the Hosadurga bus stand in Chitradurga district, where they were arrested on January 3.
The arrested quartet includes two individuals who were directly employed by the builder. Narendra, 28, from Doddaballapur, worked as the car driver, while Manjeet Ram, 28, hailing from Darbhanga in Bihar, was employed as domestic help. The other two accused are their associates: Chandan, 27, a bus driver, and Manjunath, 36, a mason. Both are friends of Narendra and are also residents of Doddaballapur.
Recovery of Stolen Valuables
The police operation proved highly successful, leading to the complete recovery of the stolen valuables from the possession of the accused. The recovered items include:
- 550 grams of gold ornaments.
- 4 kilograms of silver articles.
- Cash totaling Rs 4 lakh.
The total estimated value of the recovered property is around Rs 1 crore. The police are continuing their investigation to piece together the complete sequence of events.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for employers, particularly in high-net-worth households, to implement robust security measures, especially during periods of absence. The arrest of trusted employees highlights the need for thorough background checks and vigilant security protocols.
