In a meticulously planned and daring heist, a group of unidentified persons robbed a cigarette warehouse in 15th Mile, Ri Bhoi district making off with about 255 cartons of cigarettes and electronics.
The incident occurred at around 1 am today at the warehouse of the Madan Mohan Obhrai & CO WSP of ITC Limited.
Police said the criminals numbering about 10 gained access to the premises through a portable ladder. Once inside they overpowered three security guards by tying their hands and legs and covered their eyes using Assamese gamochas.
The criminals used a lever rod to forcefully break open the two shutter locks at the entrance of the warehouse and manipulated the CCTV cameras, turning them in an upward direction to evade detection, police added.
In addition to the cigarettes the robbers also took away electronic equipments that included a router, DVR, and CPU.
Police in Ri Bhoi has launched a manhunt to arrest the culprits.