Five persons have been arrested for stealing gems, gold jewellery and cash worth Rs 30 million from a shop in Pelmadulla, the police media spokesperson said.
It was reported that the arrestees include two teachers and two former soldiers.
Pelmadulla Police and Ratnapura Police OIC had conducted continuous investigations into a complaint and gathered details from informants stationed at gem auctions in Ratnapura area.
Informants had tipped off the police on a person suspected to have auctioned gems and gold stolen from a shop in Pelmadulla.
Interrogations into the suspect had led to the arrest of four other persons linked to the robbery.
Further investigations had uncovered 604 gemstones worth nearly Rs 10 million, cash worth Rs 447,000 and 62-pound gold jewellery valued at Rs 5 million stolen from the shop along with a three-wheeler and a motorcycle used by the suspects.
Two of the suspects are residents of Balangoda area while the others were identified as residents of Kirindiwala, Lunugamvehera and Horana.
Probes into the incident are being conducted by Pelmadulla Police under the guidance of the OIC of Ratnapura Police.
