KOLHAPUR: A gang of four-five armed robbers targeted a jewellery store in Sangli on Sunday afternoon and made away with almost 70% of the valuables in the showroom. The exact value of the stolen jewellery is yet to be ascertained, but it is expected to be in crores.
The police confirmed that it was the largest jewellery heist committed in the district and it had been planned meticulously.
The store, Reliance Jewels, is located along the Sangli-Miraj highway in the Vishrambaug area of Sangli city. According to police, the robbery took place between 2.30pm and 3pm.
“The robbers got inside the showroom posing as customers. After entering the store, they took out their weapons and started threatening the employees. The employees were asked to sit in a corner, and after they complied, their hands were tied and mouths gagged with duct tape,” a police officer said.
District superintendent of police Basavraj Teli told TOI: “Almost 70% of the jewellery has been stolen. We are yet to estimate the exact worth of the stolen valuables. We have alerted all the police stations in the district and checkpoints have been set up on all major roads. We have formed seven teams to carry out the investigation from various angles.”
According to the store employees, customer footfall was low on Sunday. They told the police that one of the suspects had also fired a round from a firearm. Teli, however, said this will be confirmed after the investigation.
The value of the stolen goods is expected to be at least Rs 4 crores. However, this figure could increase after proper assessment.
The police confirmed that it was the largest jewellery heist committed in the district and it had been planned meticulously.
The store, Reliance Jewels, is located along the Sangli-Miraj highway in the Vishrambaug area of Sangli city. According to police, the robbery took place between 2.30pm and 3pm.
“The robbers got inside the showroom posing as customers. After entering the store, they took out their weapons and started threatening the employees. The employees were asked to sit in a corner, and after they complied, their hands were tied and mouths gagged with duct tape,” a police officer said.
District superintendent of police Basavraj Teli told TOI: “Almost 70% of the jewellery has been stolen. We are yet to estimate the exact worth of the stolen valuables. We have alerted all the police stations in the district and checkpoints have been set up on all major roads. We have formed seven teams to carry out the investigation from various angles.”
According to the store employees, customer footfall was low on Sunday. They told the police that one of the suspects had also fired a round from a firearm. Teli, however, said this will be confirmed after the investigation.
The value of the stolen goods is expected to be at least Rs 4 crores. However, this figure could increase after proper assessment.
