Robbers pose as policemen, steal Rs 35 crore

Tiruchirappalli: A five-member gang posed as policemen and robbed a jewellery shop's van to the tune of Rs 35 crore near here Sunday, the police said.

The locked van used to transport gold and precious stones by Mangal and Mangal Jewellers from Tamil Nadu capital Chennai, 300 km from here, was carrying cash and documents for purchases and safe storage when the five men disguised as patrolling police officers waylaid and looted it, the police said.

Those in the van were locked in by the robbers and they were rescued three hours later by passersby who heard knocks on the doors and cries of alarm.

The thieves had parked the vehicle off the beaten track to avoid its early detection, the police added.

A search was on to apprehend the robbers following the registration of a first information report (FIR) by the undertaking's manager S. Srinivasan, according to officials.