CCTV footage of gang behind Pallipuram gold robbery out; police have identified the masked members

The CCTV footages of the gang who robbed 100 sovereigns of gold after hacking a jewellery owner at Pallipuram near Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram, are out. The footage of the gang following the jeweller's car has been obtained. According to reports, the police have identified the gang members and those who assisted them in the crime. An investigation is also being carried out outside the state.

Jeweller Sampath Surve, his relative Lakshman and his driver Arun were transporting gold from Neyyattinkara to Attingal on Friday when the robbery occurred. A gang of 12 are said to have waylaid them. The masked gang is said to have broken the windshield, threw chilli powder on their faces and hacked them. Sampat suffered injuries on his arms. The gang forced Arun to enter their car and assaulted him. He was thrown off the vehicle at Vavarambalam near Pothencode. Lakshman was also supposedly forced into another vehicle and dropped off at Pothencode.

According to police, the robbery could have been carried out by a ‘quotation’ gang employed by the complainant’s rival. The police suspect the robbers could be the same gang who attempted a similar heist four months ago at Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district. Sampat’s former driver, Gopakumar was one of the suspects in that incident. However, Gopakumar, is supposedly cleared as he is said to have an alibi on the day of the robbery.