Mobile tower helped cops trace jewel thieves

Chennai: A small yet crucial clue from the past — a mobile tower dump — helped police crack the attempted jewellery heist near Gummidipoondi and arrest a five member gang from Rajasthan that was hiding in Urapakkam. A mobile phone number which was referred to in a two-year-old jewellery robbery case, had become active near Madharpakkam at the time of the recent attempted heist, giving investigators their first lead.The incident took place on April 9, at a jewellery shop in Madharpakkam, near Gummidipoondi, owned by Ramesh. A group arrived in a car, some disguised in burqas. One member of the gang entered the shop, threatened Ramesh and the staff with a gun, and demanded cash and valuables. Shocked but defiant, Ramesh confronted the robber and fought back, dragging him outside the shop. The gang, sensing failure, abandoned the attempt and fled the scene in their car.Pathirivedu police registered a case and formed five special teams to trace the culprits. Initially, investigators had no leads. However, a breakthrough came when police reviewed old jewellery robbery cases in Tiruvallur district. They identified a mobile number linked to a suspect in a previous robbery from two years ago, which was active near Madharpakkam at the time of the attempted heist. Further tracking revealed that the phone was later used in Urapakkam, near Vandalur.Adding to the clues, police found that a car number plate had been stolen in Urapakkam and used on the vehicle involved in the robbery attempt. With all signs pointing to the same area, police intensified surveillance there. Believing the police had no leads, the gang stayed together in a rented house in Urapakkam. Acting on precise intelligence, police raided the location and arrested five suspects.The arrested were identified as Ashok Kumar, 28, Jagadeesh, 30, Saravankumar, 27, Ramesh Kumar, 21, and Bajanlal, 27, all natives of Rajasthan. Another accused, Sriram, is currently absconding, and efforts are underway to trace him. Police are also investigating whether the gang was involved in similar crimes across Tamil Nadu.