From special correspondent in Kinnigoli

Kinnigoli: The traders and residents were shocked alike on Thursday July 12 morning by the news of a huge theft from a jewellery shop here.

Thieves broke into 'Anugraha Jewellers' owned by M Prithviraj Acharya in the early hours of Thursday and made away with gold ornaments worth Rs 4.68 lakh and silverware worth Rs 3.52 lakh from the showcases.

The CCTV footage showed that the act was executed between 1-59 am and 2-30 am and using a hand-held flashlight. A bald person is seen holding the flashlight and giving directions. Before leaving, they noticed that the CCTV camera and broke its glass. Mistaking a small TV for a CCTV storage unit, they took it away.

The theft came to the owner's attention and the police were informed. ACP Muddamadaiah, Mulki circle inspector Basheer Ahmed and others visited the spot. The sniffer dogs followed the trail up to church and then returned.

Investigation is in progress in the matter, based on similar thefts in Haleyangadi and other surrounding areas.