<![CDATA[A five-member inter-State gang allegedly made away with 3 kg gold ornaments worth around ₹1 crore from a gold merchant by threatening him with country-made pistols and sharp weapons at P.M. Palem here on Tuesday. B. Venkata Ramana of Mangalagiri area in Guntur district is the owner of Varalakshmi Jewellery store at Mangalagiri. The leader of the inter-State gang has been identified as N. Rakesh, a native of Rajasthan and resident of P.M. Palem in the city. Ironically, both the victim and accused are friends as they are both in gold business. A few weeks ago, Rakesh called up Ramana and reportedly ordered 3 kg gold jewellery such as rings, bangles and bracelets for his business purpose, and said that he would hand over the cash on delivery. Ramana came to Visakhapatnam on Tuesday along with the gold jewellery, according to P.M. Palem Inspector Mr. K. Lakshmana Murthy. Rakesh received Ramana at the railway station and took him to his house at P.M. Palem. As soon as they entered his flat, Rakesh and four others allegedly beat up Ramana and tied him to a chair. The five-member gang threatened Ramana with firearms and sharp edged weapons and made away with the gold ornaments. The gang fled the city after committing the crime.Ramana managed to escape and lodged a police complaint later in the evening. Pre-planned, say police The police along with members of the Clues team and dog squad visited the scene of crime. The police said that it was a pre-planned offence as the accused engaged some inter-State culprits to commit the crime. The P.M. Palem police registered a case and are investigating it.]]>
