A masked person who allegedly stole 10.3 kg of gold jewellery and 1 kg of diamond jewellery from a Tanishq outlet on Madurai’s Bypass Road has not been identified, with police investigating surveillance footage, possible insider links and gaps in the store’s security system.
The robbery took place at around 3 am on November 12, according to a report by Dinamalar. The outlet, operated by the Tata Group’s Tanishq brand, began functioning on the Bypass Road on October 14. Initial estimates had put the value of the stolen jewellery at about 20 kg, but the shop’s inventory assessment completed the following morning recorded 10.3 kg of gold jewellery and 1 kg of diamond jewellery missing.
Police questioned shop employees for a second day and forensic experts examined the premises for evidence. The suspect allegedly wore a mask and gloves, limiting the traces available to investigators. Police are also examining whether employees or people involved in the construction of the outlet had any connection with the robbery.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the same person visiting the building’s terrace on November 5 while wearing black clothing, a mask and gloves. The person allegedly tried to break a window but left after failing. Police are examining whether the earlier visit could have provided information about the building’s layout and security arrangements.
Footage from the night of the robbery allegedly shows the suspect using a screwdriver to break a glass window and enter the shop. The person is reported to have left through the rear of the premises at about 3.30 am, wearing a helmet and travelling on a two-wheeler without visible registration plates or gears, according to the report. The route reportedly passed through less-populated streets in the Nehru Nagar and Madakkulam areas rather than the main road, where vehicle checks could have increased the chances of detection.
Police are searching parking areas near the bus stand and railway station using the reported colour of the two-wheeler. A team led by Deputy Commissioner Inigo Divyan also searched the residence of a suspected person from Palanganatham, but the individual was not present. Police reportedly found surveillance footage of the person visiting the shop on several days while posing as a customer, wearing different appearances but repeatedly using the same colour of cap.
The footage is also being examined to determine whether the suspect targeted jewellery previously viewed inside the store. Police have questioned several suspected offenders from Tamil Nadu and other states, but some were found to be in prison. An individual from Pollachi whom investigators sought was also found to be present at his known location, according to the report.
The case has also drawn attention to the outlet’s reported security arrangements. Dinamalar reported that the store did not have a rear surveillance camera or an alarm designed to activate when display cases were touched outside operating hours, and relied mainly on two security guards. Police searches and questioning are continuing as investigators work to identify the suspect and recover the stolen jewellery.
