Kochi: Ernakulam Rural police have registered a case of burglary after gold ornaments worth ₹7 lakh were stolen from a locked house in Aluva.

According to the police, the burglary took place at the house located along Old Desom Road in Thottakkattukara, Aluva West Village, sometime between 10 am on December 31, 2025, and 10 am on January 4, 2026. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by the caretaker of the house after the premises were found ransacked.

As per the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Aluva Police Station, the complainant, MJ George (68), stated that the accused gained entry into the house and forced open a locker kept inside the master bedroom. Gold ornaments weighing about 48 grams were stolen from the locker. The stolen items include three gold chains, two bangles, six pairs of earrings and a locket. The police have assessed the total value of the stolen jewellery at ₹7 lakh.

Police sources said the owners of the house have been residing in Australia for several years and the property was under the care of George. The stolen ornaments were reportedly gifts received by the owners’ children. “One of the neighbours noticed a light switched on in a room of the otherwise unoccupied house and found it suspicious. He alerted the caretaker, following which the complaint was filed,” a police officer said, adding that it was unclear why the jewellery had been kept in an unoccupied house.

A police team reached the spot and carried out a preliminary inspection. Fingerprint experts were called in as part of the investigation, and CCTV footage from nearby houses and establishments is being scrutinised to identify the suspects and trace their movements. Police are also verifying whether any known history-sheeters are linked to the crime. “One CCTV clip shows a person passing by the house who appears similar to an accused in another case, but further details need to be collected,” police sources said.

The case has been registered under Sections 331(4) (house-breaking), 334(1) (dishonestly breaking open receptacles containing property) and 305(a) (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation has been taken up by Sub-Inspector Eldho Paul.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that another burglary was reported a few days ago from Aluva Aashan Colony, where household items worth about ₹60,000 were stolen. The investigation in that case is still underway.

Residents in the area have voiced concern over what they perceive as a rise in theft incidents and have urged the police to intensify night patrols in residential localities across Aluva.