Bantwal : Five shops located by the sides of highway at Adyanadka were burgled after thieves broke open the shutters and doors of the shops and took away cash and cigarettes on Sunday, September 29.

According to a police complaint, thieves made off with Rs 60,000 in cash, cigarettes worth Rs 30,000 and computer monitor attached to CCTV camera from a provision store belonging to Vasudeva Nayak at Meginapete Adyanadka. They also targeted another provision store belonging to Devananda Shenoy in Adyaadka downtown by breaking the lock and stole over Rs 500. It is learnt that the lock of a shutter of a studio located in front of Shenoy’s shop was broken and about Rs 10,000 including coins stored in boxes were stolen.

The thieves broke open the shutter of a shop owned by Radhakrishna Nayak in front of Adyanadka auto stand and searched for money, scattering papers inside the table drawer, but found no money. the thieves also targeted another provision store owned by Rohitashwa near Adyanadka School too and took away Rs 10,000 in notes and coins.

The location has been visited by finger print experts and the canine squad and the latter visited all the shops in the town and also approached the public toilet before losing scent. Apparently, movement of a thief has been captured in a CCTV camera in the town, based on which the police have begun investigation.

Additional superintendent of police Dr Vikram Amte, assistant superintendent of police Saidulu Advavat, and police circle inspector T D Nagaraj, visited the spot and investigated. Vitla assistant sub-inspector Dhananjay and others also have visited the spot and begun investigation.