Kerala: Thief leaves cash and valuables, steals coconut oil instead

A grocery store in Aluva, Ernakulam, was burgled early Sunday, with the thief targeting only cooking oil and a few food items while leaving behind ₹5000 in both the cash and charity boxes. According to a report by TOI, the shop owner Ayoob Puthanpurayil discovered the break-in upon opening his store and found that 31 one liter bottles of virgin coconut oil were missing, along with a few bottles of gingelly oil, apples, and milk.

Soaring oil prices ahead of Onam may have driven theft

With Kerala preparing to celebrate Onam later this month, prices of cooking oils, especially virgin coconut oil, have nearly doubled. TOI reported that the price of virgin coconut oil has risen from ₹260 to over ₹500 per liter. Ayoob told TOI that each stolen bottle was worth ₹600, putting the total loss from the coconut oil alone at approximately ₹18600. He added that the theft of the oil represented a bigger loss than the cash in the register.

Break-in involved careful planning and limited access

The shop, secured on three sides and largely out of public view. TOI reported that the thief first attempted to dig through the sand-filled shop behind the store but was stopped by a plywood sheet installed to deter rats. The intruder eventually gained entry through a narrow back door, likely restricting how much could be carried out.

According to Ayoob, CCTV footage showed the thief lingering inside the shop for an extended time. TOI stated that several curd packets were found opened and half eaten, with empty water bottles lying around.

Dispute over police response and repeat incidents

TOI reported that Ayoob had CCTV footage of the incident, but police allegedly refused to take action, citing procedural requirements. Meanwhile, police stated that no formal complaint was filed. This was the fourth attempted burglary reported in the area, according to the same report.

Incident recalls Malappuram gold heist

The break-in has drawn comparisons to the Malappuram gold heist in 2023, where thieves drilled through the floor of a Kerala Gramin Bank branch and stole 80 kilograms of gold. That incident also took place in Aluva and involved similar planning and access tactics, TOI noted.