CHENNAI: A youth introduced himself as Karthik to a priest from Pathala Ponniyamman Koil at Purasawalkam claiming that he was an NRI and escaped with the priest’s gold chain on Friday. Police said Karthik took Viswanathan to a jewellery store at Parry’s Corner and selected a few silver ornaments. The youth told the shopkeepers that he would return in the evening and purchase the items after paying cash. Later Karthik took Viswanathan to a textile showroom at Washermenpet and selected a few silk sarees and took a shirt for him and tried it. Karthik then took a shirt for the priest and told him to try it out, police said. Karthik had told Viswanathan that his gold chain looks good and wanted to buy one like that. Police said Karthik told the priest that he wanted to wear the chain and see if it suited him, Viswanathan reluctantly gave the chain to Karthik when he convinced him by handing over his bag saying that it contained Rs 1.5 lakh in cash. Police said, the youth also told the priest could also take a picture of him on his mobile phone. Karthik later asked the priest to try the new shirt inside the trial room. When Viswanathan came out from the trial room he found Karthik to be missing. Police are investigating the case.]]>
