The Kuniyamuthur police have arrested a Chennai-based man, S Suresh (33), for allegedly stealing Rs26.5 lakh in cash and 43 sovereigns of gold ornaments from a residence in Government Officers Colony, Kuniyamuthur.
Suresh, a fabrication and plumbing worker residing in Thiruvellavayil near Meenjur in Tiruvallur district, was previously employed at two women’s hostels in Egmore, Chennai. These hostels were operated by N Chelladurai (67) and his son S Vivekananthan (37), who originally hail from Kuniyamuthur, Coimbatore.
The victims had stored Rs42 lakh in cash and 43 sovereigns of gold ornaments in a steel bureau at their family home in Kuniyamuthur, where Chelladurai’s elderly parents live. Recently, they had also hired Suresh to construct a shed on the property.
According to the police, Suresh visited the Kuniyamuthur house with his wife and two children on May 2 and again on May 14, staying overnight. Shortly after his departure back to Chennai, the family discovered that Rs26.5 lakh in cash and the gold ornaments were missing.
Following a complaint, police traced Suresh and successfully recovered the stolen cash and jewelry. He has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway to ascertain if others were involved.
