Burglars today broke into an unguarded government treasury and decamped cash and jewels totally worth about Rs.One crore, kept in 12 sealed boxes, in Srivilliputhur in this district.
Burglars gained entry by breaking open the main door of the sub-treasury and the safety locker room. There was no security at the treasury, police said.
Jewels related to pending court cases and money seized in raids during election period were kept in the treasury.
The theft came to light when sweepers who went to clean the treasury office found the door broken open and informed the officials, they said.
Deputy Treasury Officer Shanthi found the wooden door and the safety locker room broken open and 12 sealed boxes stolen.
The empty boxes were found just behind the rear compound wall of the treasury. It would have taken at least three hours for breaking the doors and locker and stealing the booty, police said.
Superintendent of Police Maheswaran and DSP A C Vellaiyan visited the spot. He also collected information about employees and those on leave.
The treasury did not have a proper CCTV camera and burglar alarm, said a police official. There was no night security for more than 15 years.
Chief Judicial Magistrate John R.D.Santhoshan, Additional Sessions Judge R.Samuel Benjamin and Judge K.Kavitha visted the treasury.
A sniffer dog, which was pressed into service, went upto the railway station.
This was the major burglary in a treasury reported in recent times, police added.
