Thief visits businessman's house day after committing massive robbery; CCTV footage surfaces

KANNUR: Details have emerged in connection with a high-profile robbery at the residence of businessman KP Ashraf, the owner of Ashraf Traders, a prominent rice wholesale business. The incident occurred at the 'Coral' house near the KSEB office in Valapattanam, Manna. Gold and diamond ornaments worth over 300 sovereigns, along with Rs 1 crore in cash, were stolen.

The theft is believed to have been carried out by individuals with intimate knowledge of the house and its occupants' movements. The family had left the residence locked last Tuesday morning to attend a wedding ceremony in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Police suspect the robbers struck knowing the house would be unoccupied.

CCTV footage has confirmed that the thief entered the house twice before completing the heist. The first entry occurred at 3 am on Wednesday, where the intruder left without turning off a light that was on inside. The second entry took place the following night, with footage capturing the thief leaving the house with a bundle. This time, the light was switched off before the thief exited.

The video reveals that the individual wore a mask during both entries, making identification challenging.

Based on the evidence, police strongly suspect the involvement of individuals familiar with the household and its schedule. The investigation team has zeroed in on a primary suspect, though it remains unclear if the individual is in custody.

Statements have been recorded from at least eight people, including employees of Ashraf Traders, some of whom hail from Bihar. Police also collected identity documents from all employees as part of the investigation.

The case has prompted a coordinated investigation across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, given the possibility of interstate connections. The police are meticulously analyzing the footage and questioning those associated with the household to uncover leads.