A daring attempt to liquidate a massive haul of stolen jewelry ended in handcuffs after alert gold shop employees in Ranebennur sniffed out a suspicious deal. Shridevi Sanjeev Kattekar, a resident of Hubballi, thought she could escape the local heat by traveling south to sell her illegal loot in a different city. Ranebennur city police swoop into a private gold company to seize the haul and take the suspect into custody on February 21, 2026.
How did a routine gold sale turn into a police raid?
Our sources confirmed that the woman walked into the office carrying a staggering 236 grams of gold ornaments without a single scrap of paperwork. Most people do not carry nearly half a pound of gold in their pockets for casual sale. Staff noticed her trembling hands and evasive answers. Pure instinct.
According to the Ranebennur City Police, the market value of the seized ornaments sits at approximately ₹16 lakh. We talked to witnesses who said the shop employees kept her busy with “valuation checks” while secretly dialing the emergency line. Smart move. Justice followed.
What was the thief’s real plan?
Interrogation sessions revealed that the gold was stolen directly from a residence in Hubballi just days prior to her trip. Shridevi likely believed that crossing district lines would make the stolen items untraceable to local jewelry registers. She was wrong. Total failure.
Police officials have publicly praised the gold company staff for their vigilance and refusal to process the undocumented transaction. The ornaments are now held as evidence while investigators coordinate with Hubballi authorities to find the original owners. Secure custody. The suspect remains behind bars pending her next court appearance.
