Tirupati: The TTD Vigilance and temple city police on Monday released pictures of a suspect in connection with the theft of three golden crowns worth Rs 50 lakh from the TTD-run Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati.
On verifying CCTV footage, the police found a middle-aged man running out of the temple in a hurry. Tirupati (Urban) district police released the pictures on Monday and appealed to the public to inform them if they found the man in the pictures.
Three golden crowns that used to adorn the processional deities of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy at the sub-shrine in Govindaraja Swamy temple went missing last Saturday.
The crowns weighed approximately 1,351 gm and cost around Rs 50 lakh.
That the crowns had gone missing came to light after the temple priest reopened the temple around 5.45pm for daily rituals.
The priest informed higher-ups, who lodged a complaint with the police late on Saturday.
Sources said that the police also took an auto-driver into custody in connection with the case and are interrogating him.
Though there was no official confirmation, sources said the police have located the suspect but are yet to corner him.
