Bengaluru, 12 May

A thief, who was carrying a pistol, broke into a brewery in north Bengaluru and stole cash, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred at the Geometry Brewery and Kitchen on the Gayatri Nagarroad under the Subramanyanagar Police station limits in Rajajinagar between 3.30am and 4am.

Police said the suspect entered through the back door and stole between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 in cash.

"The watchman complained that a thief entered (the brewery) with a weapon. On noticing him the guard shut the door and alerted the police between 4.30am and 5am. When police arrived, they could not find the thief inside the brewery. The CCTV cameras were also switched off. Prima facie it appears to be a case of theft. Based on the FIR, further investigation will be done," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Saidulu Adavath said.

"It is true that a thief broke in, but whether he was carrying a pistol needs to be confirmed. The watchman saw the suspect from a distance. He was wearing a mask. His statement about a thief carrying a weapon will be investigated," the officer said.

The entire building was searched, and the thief was not found. The police suspect that he might have escaped through the bathroom or kitchen at night. The watchman does not how and when the thief exited, they said.

The DCP said that only one person entered the building, and the cash counter was found broken open. "We will file an FIR and investigate it," he said.