Jewel shop staff trapped as snag-hit shutter closes
CHENNAI: Tension prevailed in suburban Sembakkam on Sunday night after an automated shutter at a jewellery shop came down when 13 employees were checking the stocks inside the shop.
The police and fire and rescue teams arrived had to cut a hole in the shutter using gas cutters to rescue the employees.
The incident happened at Tanishq showroom on Tambaram-Velachery Road near Sembakkam. Usually, the shop would be closed around 9.30 pm. Due to Deepavali, closing time of the showroom was postponed to 10.30 pm. After the sales was over, the staff lowered the shutter halfway and were checking the stocks. According to the police, the shutter suddenly rolled down fully and the staff were not able to open it manually.
The efforts of Selaiyur police to open the shutter went vain. Following this, the Tambaram fire and reuse team cut a hole in the shutter after getting permission from the police and the management. Around 12.30 am, all the staff were rescued and the police arranged for their transport.
As the shutter was broken, a six-member police team along with the shop securities were deployed in the shop till Monday morning. Meanwhile, the public, with Tiruchy jewellery shop heist fresh in their mind, noticed the broken shutter and thought that the shop was looted. Soon, the rumour about a robbery also started spreading in the locality. The police indicated that lock would be repaired and business would resume soon.