Bengaluru police have arrested a salesman for allegedly deceiving a jewelry store owner and escaping with 9.4 kg of gold worth ₹7.5 crore.

The accused, Naresh Sharma (40), hailing from Chennai, was arrested in Lucknow by Halasuru Gate police. Authorities recovered ₹5 lakh in cash and 500 grams of gold worth ₹50 lakh from him.

Naresh had been working as a salesman at a jewelry store in Nagarathpete, owned by Vikram, for the past three years. On January 12, he convinced Vikram and his associate that he would sell their gold ornaments to various jewelry shops in the city. Trusting him, they handed over 9.4 kg of gold jewelry. However, Naresh fled with the gold instead of completing the sales.

Following the complaint filed by Vikram at Halasuru Gate police station, an investigation was launched.

After gathering intelligence, police tracked Naresh to Lucknow and arrested him on January 20. During interrogation, he confessed to selling the stolen jewelry at multiple shops in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

He also admitted to depositing ₹5 lakh in cash at a familiar jewelry store. So far, authorities have seized ₹5 lakh, 500 grams of gold jewelry, and gold bars.

The investigation is ongoing to recover the remaining stolen gold.