Thiruvananthapuram: Around 18 sovereigns of gold ornaments and ₹1 lakh were stolen from a house in Mavuvila in Venganoor here on Wednesday. The theft occurred at the residence of Gilbert, a former fire force official.

The theft is believed to have taken place while the family was away from the house and was discovered on Wednesday morning. The police, however, have not yet ascertained the exact amount of gold stolen.

The gold was kept on the first floor of the two-storey building, and the money was stolen from a room on the ground floor.

"There were around 90 sovereigns of gold in the house at the time, and what was kept on the ground floor was stolen," said Mavuvila ward member Sunitha. She added that Gilbert’s son and wife, who work in Anchal, will have to return to the house to ascertain if more gold was taken.

Gilbert and his wife had been staying at his sister’s house nearby during the nights for the past few months following the death of her son. The theft occurred while both were at her house, Sunitha said.