Diamond thieves did a recce thrice

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the con-group comprising Mexicans Guerrero Lugo Elvia Grissel, 24; Campos Molan Elias, 39; Gonzalez Madlonado Mauricio, 24; and a Venezuelan woman Gutierez Orlando had visited the exhibition at least three times before committing the diamond heist.

On scrutinising the details of the 30,000 visitors who visited the exhibition over five days, the police learnt about the group’s previous visits.

“They would have conducted a recce during these visits,” said Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police, crime branch.

“Once we get their custody, we will interrogate them to find out if they had sought a local’s help,” he said.

At the time of the theft, the stall from where the diamonds were stolen had three representatives of the Israeli diamond company, including manager Goy Vyad and managing director Kobi Itzchaki. Police said the group walked to the stall, posing as businessmen interested in buying diamonds.

Communication was a problem as the thieves and the people at the stall spoke in their respective languages. “Taking advantage of the confusion, the group decided to strike,” said Ramrao Pawar, additional commissioner of police, north region.

“They had also approached the stall at a vulnerable time —  just when stalls had begun to wind up.” They slipped out of the venue and headed for the airport.

Police said the exhibition was open to only those Indians who had business interests. However, it was open to
all foreigners.