The Yelahanka New Town police in Bengaluru have arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth ₹13.20 lakh from a shop after diverting the attention of the shopowner’s wife on the pretext of purchasing ornaments

The accused has been identified as Harish alias Hari (36), a resident of Yelahanka New Town. The police have recovered two gold chains and seven rings weighing 102 grams, valued at ₹13.20 lakh, from him.

The incident took place on October 29 at a jewellery shop on Ananthapura Main Road in Yelahanka New Town. The shopowner had gone out of town, and his wife was managing the business.

The accused visited the shop posing as a customer and expressed interest in purchasing gold jewellery. He asked the woman to show him gold chains and rings. She placed several pieces of jewellery on a tray for him to inspect.

While pretending to examine the ornaments one by one in front of a mirror, the accused allegedly diverted the woman’s attention and stealthily pocketed two gold chains and seven rings before fleeing from the shop.

Following a complaint, the Yelahanka New Town police registered a theft case and launched an investigation. Based on technical information and other clues, the police traced and arrested the accused near Tindlu on Kodigehalli Main Road on October 29. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to committing the theft.

The accused told the police that he had kept the stolen jewellery at his residence in Yelahanka New Town. Acting on the information, the police searched his house on October 30 and recovered the stolen ornaments weighing 102 grams.

The accused was produced in a court on October 30. He was remanded to judicial custody.