Man who plotted jewellery heist nabbed from Pune

BENGALURU: A 30-year-old man, suspected to be the mastermind behind the failed robbery bid at

Samrat

Jewels in Vyalikaval, was on Saturday taken into custody from Pune.


Prahlad Chowdhury alias Kailas, a resident of KR Puram and from Rajasthan, had taken shelter in Pune after the Wednesday incident.

Vyalikaval police had earlier arrested J Balvan Singh, 24, Balaji Gaikwad, 25, J Sriram Bishnoi, 23, and J Om Prakash, 22, seven hours after the robbery bid.

“With an intention to loot jewellery shops in Bengaluru, Prahlad formed the gang. He took a house on rent to gather his team members and spent money from his pocket to pay rent and fulfil their daily needs,” police said.

Prahlad had worked at several jewellery shops in the city and was a friend of Balaji. The duo decided to target jewellery shops to make a quick buck.

“As per Prahlad’s plan, gang members stole two bikes to commit the crime. He was not part of the team that struck Samrat Jewels and fled to Pune after learning that his associates had failed to execute the plan. Probe is on to know whether Prahlad is behind any other robberies reported in Bengaluru or other places,” an officer said.

A team is working to trace the source of the country-made pistol which Balaji reportedly procured from Bihar.

On Wednesday afternoon, Balvan Singh had shot one bullet at the roof of the Samrat Jewels while attempting the robbery. Balaji and Sriram had accompanied Singh. However, Rakhi, wife of shop owner Ashish Kumar Jain, hurled a metal chair at Balvan, forcing the trio to flee.

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