₹81 lakh armed robbery in Kochi: 2 arrested, 3 detained; police widen hunt
The robbery took place around 3.15 pm on Wednesday at the steel company’s office at Kundannur near the Aroor bypass.
The robbery took place around 3.15 pm on Wednesday at the steel company’s office at Kundannur near the Aroor bypass.
The robbery took place around 3.15 pm on Wednesday at the steel company’s office at Kundannur near the Aroor bypass.
Kochi: The Maradu police have arrested two persons and detained three others in connection with the dramatic ₹81 lakh armed robbery at a steel firm in Kochi. The arrests come a day after four masked men stormed the National Steel Company in Kundannur, brandishing weapons and fleeing with cash.
According to the police, Saji of Vadhuthala and Vishnu of Ernakulam, who allegedly arrived for a money-doubling transaction at the firm, have been formally arrested. Three others are being interrogated on suspicion of aiding the culprits. However, the four robbers are still at large.
The police have seized two vehicles used by the gang, including one from Thrissur, indicating that the robbers may have crossed district borders after the heist.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya confirmed that a wider probe is underway to determine whether the crime was linked to a fraudulent investment racket.
“Now we need to recover the money and the weapons, and catch those who arrived wearing masks. The involvement of the two arrested individuals is clear, and they have been charged in the case. Joji, who was with Vishnu, and the robbers are yet to be apprehended. Three people were detained for assisting the accused. They are currently being interrogated and their roles in the crime are being checked,” said Vimaladitya.
The robbery took place around 3.15 pm on Wednesday at the steel company’s office at Kundannur near the Aroor bypass. The owner, Subin Thomas of Thoppumpady, filed a complaint after the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggest the crime stemmed from a Tamil Nadu–based money-doubling racket called Trade Profit Fund, which promised to turn ₹81 lakh into ₹1.10 crore. About two weeks ago, Saji approached Subin with the proposal and later introduced him to Vishnu and Joji, both allegedly involved in the scheme.
On the day of the incident, Saji, Vishnu, and Joji were reportedly inside the office counting the money when the masked gang barged in. Vishnu and Joji fled the scene, while Subin and his staff managed to detain Saji and hand him over to the police.
The police believe the robbery was an inside job. “Only these three knew that ₹81 lakh was present at the premises,” said police sources, adding that the gang was likely tipped off.
Currently, only charges of robbery are slapped on the accused, but the police said sections related to conspiracy, money-doubling fraud may be added once further evidence is collected. Subin’s financial dealings are also under scrutiny as part of the ongoing probe.