Some unidentified persons gained entry into the temple of the village deity at Kotha Mulakuddu under Bheemunipatnam police station limits and decamped with gold and silver ornaments and cash from the hundi on Sunday night.
The theft came to light when priest N. Ramana opened the doors of the temple on Monday morning. The burglars gained entry into the temple by breaking open the main door and stole 36-gm gold chain, silver crown of the deity and some other silver ornaments. They also looted cash and other offerings from the two hundis at the temple.
The priest told the police that the hundis were not opened for a long time. He estimated that the cash collections could be around Rs.1 lakh and there could be some silver and gold offerings also. The police suspect that local burglary gangs were involved in the theft.
The Bheemunipatnam police registered a case and are investigating .