Daijiworld News Network - VM, Posted at 00.10am, IST, Jan 23

Karkala, Jan 23: The savings of this retired teacher Girija Hegde of Karkal have fallen into wrong hands. On Saturday night thieves got into her house by breaking open the lock of the main door and have made a  clean way-out with a booty of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Among the assets solen were 20 sovereigns of gold, Rs 12,000 cash and a mobile set.

The theft took place when the inmates of the house had gone to witness a cultural programmes at 8.30 pm on Saturday night. When they returned at about 11 pm after the programme, they found that the lock of the backyard door was broken. Upon inspection, they found that the almirah doors were opened, and several items were taken away by the thieves.

As the family members planned to return from the programme within 30 minutes, they had not put off the house lights. The neighbours did not grow suspicious about the theft, as the house lights were burning.