Pedro Alejandro Maita Rodriguez, believed to be the kingpin of the gang, is probably not a Venezuelan national as he had told the police.

“Now he claims to be an Ecuadorian, but we are yet to verify it. Similarly, we are also verifying the identities of the three arrested,” DCP (Crime) S N Sidramappa told Deccan Herald.

The police believe that the suspects were running an international gang and were visiting various jewellery exhibitions across the country to identify their targets.
“We have come to know that they had successfully stolen gold ornaments during a jewellery exhibition in Chennai last year. The stolen jewellery was later sold,” Sidramappa added.

The police have also sent a letter to the Interpol seeking assistance in unravelling the suspects’ involvement in other cases. According to Sidramappa, the international police organisation’s reply is expected in a few days. The suspects’ passports were also being verified for their genuineness.