In a dramatic turn of events, Tamil Nadu Police have arrested four men for stealing diamonds worth Rs 20 crore from a merchant at a hotel in Chennai. The accused—John Lawer, Vijay, Ratheesh, and Arun Pandiarajan—were apprehended during a vehicle check near the Puthur Pandiyapuram toll plaza in Thoothukudi on Monday night.
According to police, the gang attacked the diamond merchant inside his hotel room, tied him up, and fled with the precious stones. The merchant managed to scream for help, drawing the attention of hotel staff who came to his rescue. He subsequently lodged a complaint at the Vadapalani police station.
Acting on the complaint, the Chennai police launched a state-wide alert and intensive search operation to locate the robbers. Upon receiving intelligence that the accused were fleeing toward Thoothukudi, the Chennai police coordinated with their counterparts in the district.
The suspects were intercepted and arrested at the toll plaza. They are now being transferred to Chennai for further investigation.
The case is under active investigation as authorities work to recover the stolen diamonds and determine whether additional suspects are involved.
