The Davangere police have successfully cracked what is being termed the state’s biggest gold theft case, which occurred at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Nyamati. The police recovered an impressive 17.01 kg of gold ornaments, valued at approximately Rs 15.30 crore, hidden in a well. Six individuals, including three from Tamil Nadu, have been arrested concerning this high-profile case that transpired six months ago.
The arrested suspects include 30-year-old Vijayakumar, a resident of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, who operates a bakery named VIP Snacks and Sweets in Hali Nyamati, along with his brother Ajayakumar (28), their relative Paramanand (30), a resident of Belagutti Cross near Nyamati Shantinagar School, painting worker Abhishek (23), coconut trader Chandru (23), and driver Manjunath (30).
On March 31, the seized gold ornaments were displayed at the district Superintendent of Police’s office. At the same time, Eastern Zone Inspector General of Police Dr B R Ravikantegowda elaborated on the intriguing details surrounding the theft during a press conference.
The Theft Incident
The robbery occurred on October 28, 2023, when customers looted 17.7 kg of gold ornaments deposited by customers from the Nyamati SBI branch. Following the incident, a thorough investigation was launched, encompassing officers including the IGP, SP, ASP, DYSP, forensic teams, and canine units. No immediate leads were found regarding the robbers’ identity despite exhaustive searches.
The thieves managed to enter the bank by breaking through an iron window grill. They disabled the CCTV cameras and alarms, effectively executing their plan without detection. The robbers accessed the strong room by breaking the lock of its grill door and using a gas cutter to open one of the four currency chests. They then managed to escape with around 17.7 kg of gold jeweler. Further, they compounded their crime by sprinkling chilli powder in the strong room, the manager’s office and the broken window to eliminate evidence.
Investigation Challenges and Breakthroughs
Channagiri ASP Sam Varghese was appointed as the lead investigator, forming five teams, including Rural DySP B.S. Basavaraj, to investigate the case. Despite searching an extensive area of 6 to 8 km, no witnesses could be located. As the investigation progressed, suspicions turned toward organized criminals, possibly professional bank robbers from Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. This led the police to extend their searches into several states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kakinada, Warangal, Kolar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
A breakthrough came when police traced a gas cylinder purchased by the first arrested suspect, Vijayakumar. He bought the cylinder in Shivamogga and provided his Aadhaar card during the transaction. After the robbery, he reportedly destroyed the cylinder and discarded it into a lake, which was later discovered as summer caused the lake to dry up. When investigators tracked the purchase back to him, it became a crucial lead.
Motivation Behind the Robbery
Further investigation revealed that the motive for the robbery stemmed from the rejection of a loan application submitted by Vijayakumar. He sought a Rs 14 lakh loan in March 2023 to expand his bakery, which was declined due to a poor credit score. Attempting again to secure funding under a relative’s name also failed, igniting the desperation that led to the bank heist.
In preparation for the crime, Vijayakumar and his accomplices meticulously studied bank robbery techniques by watching popular shows like Money Heist and various online resources for six months. Vijayakumar gathered all necessary equipment from Shivamogga and Nyamathi town over six months.
Execution of the Heist
Approximately four months before the robbery, they formalized their plan to steal from the bank. The gang purchased disguises and practised their approach, with Vijayakumar and Abhishek infiltrating the bank to observe security measures and police movements over 15 days before the incident.
After the successful theft, Vijayakumar concealed the stolen gold in the trunk of his silver Duster car at his residence. He devised a plan on how to conceal and dispose of the gold while destroying all materials that connected him to the crime, including a hydraulic cutter and the gas cylinder used during the robbery.
The group confessed that they initially discarded the gold into Savalanga Lake and destroyed the hard disk and DVR obtained from the bank, throwing the remnants into the lake as well.
In November, Vijayakumar travelled back to his hometown in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, where he buried the gold in a well situated in a secluded area surrounded by dense foliage. Additionally, he deposited some of the stolen gold into banks and jewellery shops using aliases, distributing funds among his accomplices to maintain their luxurious lifestyles.
Arrests and Recovery
After months of meticulous investigation, the Davangere police apprehended Vijayakumar, who ultimately revealed the location of the hidden gold and the identities of his accomplices. As a result, the police recovered the gold stash from the well in Tamil Nadu.
In recognition of the diligent efforts displayed by the officers involved, IGP Dr Ravikantegowda announced that the Chief Minister would award gold medals to ten officers and staff members. Additionally, the State Inspector General of Police and Eastern Zone IGP, alongside the SP, have promised cash rewards for their outstanding contributions to solving the case.
