Gang makes vain bid to loot jewellery shop; fire in air to scare public

A six-member gang made a vain bid to loot a jewelry shop here Tuesday and fired one round in the air to try and scare away the public who gathered there after a woman customer raised an alarm, police said.

The gang entered the shop and allegedly threatened the shopowner at gun-point just as a woman stepped into the store and screamed on seeing them, police said.

Hearing her cries, some locals began gathering at the spot following which a gang member fired in the air and made good their escape, they said. Another pistol was found at the scene, police said.

A cash reward of Rs 50,000 has been announced by police to those providing information about the gang.