Vizhinjam police have launched a comprehensive investigation into a significant theft at the home of a retired Fire and Rescue Services officer. The audacious burglary, which occurred on Tuesday night, resulted in the loss of over 16 sovereigns of gold and ₹1 lakh in cash.
The incident took place at the Venniyoor residence of Gilbert, the former officer. His family had been staying at a relative’s house nightly following a recent family bereavement to attend post-funeral rituals for his nephew. It was upon their return home on Wednesday that the alarming discovery was made.
The family found their main door forced open, despite the front gate remaining securely locked. Inside, they were met with a scene of disarray, as multiple cupboards had been violently pried open.
Initially, there was widespread panic as the family believed nearly 90 sovereigns of gold stored in the house had been stolen. However, further assessment revealed that the thieves had only managed to take gold kept in a downstairs room. Remarkably, other valuable jewellery, including items in Gilbert’s son Benson’s upstairs room, remained untouched. It appears the burglars, though they entered Benson’s room, failed to locate a hidden compartment within a cupboard where additional gold was stored.
Police are now working on the theory that the burglary was likely carried out by individuals who possessed intimate knowledge of the family and the layout of their home. Investigators have begun the process of collecting and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding locality as part of their ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend the culprits.
