KANNUR: Kerala police on Monday solved a week-old burglary case involving the theft of Rs.1 crore in cash and 300 sovereigns of gold from a prominent trader’s home in Kannur district. A local man, identified as 30-year-old Vijesh, has been arrested in connection with the crime.A police team arrested Vijesh, a local welder, on Saturday and recovered the stolen money and gold from under his cot.
The police cracked the case with the help of CCTV footage and fingerprint evidence collected from the crime scene. The CCTV visuals revealed that the accused returned to the crime scene the day after the theft, raising suspicions that the perpetrator was someone familiar with the household. In addition, the police found a chisel inside the house, and fingerprints from the scene matched those of the accused.
The theft occurred while the victim, Ashraf, a rice trader, and his family were away attending a wedding in Madurai on November 19. The family discovered the robbery upon returning home on November 24 and immediately filed a complaint with the police. According to a relative, the family had locked the valuables, including the cash and gold, in a cupboard, with the key placed in another room.
Police investigations suggest that the burglars entered the house by cutting the iron grill of the kitchen window. CCTV footage showed three individuals scaling the compound wall to gain access. Following this, the police launched a thorough search, collecting crucial evidence from the scene, including fingerprints.
This case highlights a growing trend in Kerala, where burglary incidents linked to interstate gangs have surged. While 192 such cases were reported in 2021, the number increased significantly to 519 in 2023, with 1,325 arrests made in connection with these crimes. However, recovering stolen gold remains a major challenge for the police.
