NEDUMBASSERY: Masked thieves snatched Rs. 70,000 and 720 grams of gold from a lady doctor here on Saturday. Dr. Grace Mathews (54) was threatened with a knife at her house near Athani KSEB section office at 2 a.m. by two masked thieves.

Grace Mathew, a native of Manjapra, lives alone for the past 15 years. Her husband, Dr. Mathew, is in New York and son Dr. Ajith is in Mumbai Navy.

The thieves came wearing masks and undergarments. They broke into the house through the back door. After searching the ground and first floors, they went to Grace’s room, where she was asleep. On hearing sounds, Grace woke up but was pushed onto the bed by the thieves. The thieves threatened to kill her. They then snatched jewelry and cash.

As part of her relative’s marriage function, Grace took the jewelry from her bank locker two months back. The police assume that the robbery must have been carried out by someone who knew about this. The police, forensics and dog squad started an investigation under the leadership of district police Chief Rahul R. Nair and Aluva DySP N.R. Jayaraj. The police have collected footages from nearby CCTV cameras.