Jeweller Robbed, Family Briefly Abducted on Highway Near Mangaluru
Mangaluru: A seven-member gang robbed a jeweller of gold worth approximately Rs 20 lakh and briefly kidnapped his wife and son before abandoning them on the outskirts of Mangaluru early Monday morning. The incident occurred on National Highway 66 near Baikampady Junction around 2:15 am, according to police.
The victim, Vikas Subbarao Dhanavade, a jeweller from Sangli, Maharashtra, was travelling with his family to Payyanur in Kerala when the gang intercepted his car using two Toyota Innovas and a Swift. The masked men threatened the family, assaulted Dhanavade, and forced him out of his Kerala-registered Swift Dzire before driving away with his wife and child inside. The gang then drove towards Panambur Beach Road, where they robbed Dhanavade's wife of a bag containing around 180 grams of gold ornaments. The woman and child were later abandoned a few kilometres away, and the gang escaped with the car and two mobile phones.
Police have registered a case based on Dhanavade's complaint and are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made so far. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the area and tracking the stolen vehicle. The highway stretch, usually busy during the day, witnesses heavy traffic at night as well.
The jeweller and his family have been provided with necessary assistance, and a search is underway for the suspects. It is not yet known whether the gang had prior information about the jeweller's travel plans.
