Arrah, Bihar: In a shocking daylight heist, a gang of armed robbers stormed a Tanishq jewellery showroom in Bihar’s Arrah, making off with jewellery worth an estimated ₹25 crore. The robbery took place on Monday morning, just minutes after the store opened for business.
According to eyewitness accounts, five to six masked men entered the showroom around 10:30 a.m., overpowering the security guard and taking customers and staff hostage at gunpoint. The criminals systematically packed stolen ornaments and cash into bags before fleeing the scene.
CCTV Footage Captures the Chilling Heist
Surveillance footage from the showroom captures the chilling moments of the crime. The video shows the robbers brandishing firearms, ordering everyone inside to raise their hands, and methodically looting the store. Gold chains, necklaces, bangles, diamond jewellery, and cash were among the valuables stolen.
The showroom, located at Gopali Chowk, falls under the jurisdiction of the Arrah police station. Kumar Mrityunjay, the showroom manager, confirmed the massive loss and recounted the terror the employees faced during the incident.
Security Guard’s Testimony: ‘They Held a Pistol to My Head’
Security guard Manoj Kumar narrated how the criminals executed their plan.
“The showroom opened at 10:00 a.m. As per policy, we allow only a few customers in at a time. The robbers came in pairs to avoid suspicion. When the sixth person arrived, he suddenly held a pistol to my head, snatched my weapon, and assaulted me. Then they started filling their bags with jewellery,” he said.
An employee, Rohit Kumar Mishra, described the fear among the staff, stating that many hid behind counters to avoid harm.
Police Action: High-Speed Chase Ends in Crossfire
Shortly after the robbery, Bhojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) directed all units to conduct vehicle checks across the district. Acting on intelligence gathered from CCTV footage and eyewitnesses, officers identified six suspects on three motorcycles near the Babura Choti bridge.
When police signaled them to stop, the suspects accelerated, leading to a high-speed chase. The gang opened fire on the police, prompting officers to retaliate. In the ensuing gunfight, two suspects were injured and later apprehended.
Authorities recovered:
- Two pistols and ten live cartridges
- A Pulsar motorcycle
- Stolen jewellery from the Tanishq showroom
The injured suspects are currently undergoing medical treatment under police custody.
Allegations of Police Lapses
While authorities have made swift progress in tracking down the culprits, employees at the showroom allege that their initial calls for help were ignored.
“This is a major security lapse. The robbery happened in broad daylight. We kept calling the police, but no one responded in time,” said showroom manager Kumar Mrityunjay, as quoted by PTI.
Additionally, he reported that two employees sustained head injuries after being struck with a revolver by the assailants.
Investigation Ongoing
The police are currently interrogating the arrested suspects and scanning CCTV footage to identify other gang members who may still be at large. The jewellery brand’s management is also working closely with authorities to assess the full extent of the losses.
This daring heist has once again raised concerns about security in commercial establishments, especially high-value retail stores. The police have assured strict action and are intensifying efforts to ensure such incidents do not repeat in the future.
