A 40-year-old jeweler was attacked by four masked men and stole a bag containing around 8 kg of silver, one tola of gold and a piece of gold. $Police said $15,000 in cash was found in Jaipur on Friday night.
The victim, Shankarlal Sharma, owner of Shree Shyam Jewelery Shop in Nangalnadi Main Market, was returning home on his motorcycle after closing his shop when the attack occurred.
Police officers said that a car intercepted Sharma’s motorcycle and four masked men emerged from it, armed with sticks and iron pipes. They allegedly tried to snatch the bag he was carrying.
When Sharma resisted, the attackers assaulted him repeatedly. “A strong blow to his hand forced him to drop the bag, allowing the attackers to grab it before they fled the scene in their car. The bag contained approximately 8 kg of silver ornaments, and one tola of gold and silver.” $“15,000 in cash,” one of the officers said.
The people informed the police, who rushed to the scene, and the injured jeweler was taken to a private hospital on Kalwar Road to receive treatment.
Kalwar SHO Surendra Singh said police suspect that the robbers conducted a prior reconnaissance of the jewelery shop and Sharma’s daily routine before carrying out the attack. “Since the robbery at his shop about seven months ago, Sharma had been taking valuables home from the shop every night in a bag. Investigators believe the attackers were aware of this routine and targeted him accordingly,” the officer said.
The officer added that Sharma bought a new consignment of silver from Jaipur earlier on Friday.
Following the robbery, police launched a massive search operation and imposed a Category A blockade across the Jaipur Police Commissionerate and neighboring Jaipur rural areas in a bid to intercept the suspects. However, no progress had been made until late Friday night.
Police are scanning CCTV footage from cameras installed near the jewelery shop and along the route taken by the victim to identify the attackers. A number of suspects were detained for questioning as the investigation continues.
