Man poses as customer, steals gold bracelet worth ₹1.5 lakh from Naranpura jewellery shop

A man posing as a customer allegedly stole a gold bracelet worth ₹1.5 lakh from a jewellery shop near the Naranpura Telephone Exchange in Ahmedabad and fled after distracting the shop owner, police said.

According to Ghatlodia police, the incident took place at Ambika Jewellers located in Shraddhadeep Complex near the Naranpura Telephone Exchange.

Ketankumar Ramanlal Patel, 48, who has been operating the jewellery shop for the past 26 years, told police that the accused had first visited the store on May 7 posing as a prospective customer interested in purchasing a gold ring and chain.

Police said the man, believed to be between 30 and 35 years, allegedly enquired about the prices of the ornaments and told the jeweller he would return after arranging ₹5,000 as advance payment.

The same person returned to the shop on May 8 and again inspected the jewellery before asking for the shop owner’s bank account details and a cheque photograph, claiming he intended to transfer money online.

However, he left the premises without purchasing anything.

Investigators said the accused returned again on May 14 around 1.21 pm when Patel was alone in the shop. The man allegedly asked to see the same jewellery items and engaged the shop owner in conversation regarding gold prices.

Police said Patel placed the ring on the display counter and went towards the locker area to fetch a gold chain when the accused allegedly noticed a gold bracelet belonging to a female customer lying on a weighing scale for repair work.

The bracelet, weighing around 11.230 grams and valued at approximately ₹1.5 lakh, was allegedly picked up by the accused, who then ran out of the shop.

The complainant reportedly chased the suspect, but the man managed to flee towards Pallav crossroads after crossing the road.

The accused was wearing a saffron-coloured printed shirt, black jeans and a black cap at the time of the theft.

Ghatlodia polie have registered a case against the unidentified accused and are examining CCTV footage from the area to trace him.