In a major development following the audacious daylight robbery of ₹81 lakh from a steel trading firm in Kundannur on Wednesday, Kochi City police have detained five individuals and impounded two cars. Despite these arrests, the three masked men directly involved in the theft, who reportedly brandished lethal weapons, remain on the run.
Among the five brought into custody, two have been identified as Saji and Vishnu. Police officials have not yet disclosed the identities of the other three, who are believed to have acted as accomplices. Saji was apprehended in Kochi, while Vishnu was taken into custody from Thrissur. District Police Chief (Kochi city), Putta Vimaladitya, confirmed to the media on Thursday that the involvement of both Saji and Vishnu in the crime has been established, and they will be officially charged.
Mr. Vimaladitya explained that the incident occurred at a steel shop operated by Subin, from which ₹81 lakh was stolen. He assured that a thorough investigation, overseen by the Ernakulam ACP, is actively underway. The primary objective remains the apprehension of the three masked perpetrators and the recovery of the stolen money, along with the weapons used during the heist.
Police sources previously indicated that Saji, an associate of the shop owner, Subin, is suspected of having prior knowledge about the significant sum of money present at the shop. He was reportedly on the premises when the alleged robbery took place. Subin had claimed on Wednesday that the money was withdrawn from a bank for purchasing materials, and the district police chief stated that the source of this large sum is also under verification.
Two cars have been seized by the police, one from Thrissur and another from a different undisclosed location. Mr. Vimaladitya noted that one of these vehicles is believed to be the getaway car used by the gang. Both cars were discovered abandoned. Authorities are currently working to ascertain ownership of the vehicles and who arranged them, as well as verifying the backgrounds of all those in custody.
The brazen crime unfolded around 3 PM when three men stormed the shop and made off with the money, which was reportedly being counted. Witnesses reported that the robbers wielded a gun and swords to intimidate those present before making their escape. Police are still working to confirm whether the gun displayed was a real firearm.
