Thanjavur: Police today arrested a woman for stealing 57 sovereigns of jewels and Rs. 20,000 from a house in Kumbakonam where she was working as maid.

Leelavathi (68), resident of the western side of Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam, was selling agal vilakku (earthen lamps). A few days ago, a 30-year-old woman came to her house asking for work as a maid. She also claimed that a few local VIPs were well-known to her. Believing her words to be true, the gullible Leelavathi employed her as her maid. Two days later, the maid took away 57 sovereigns of jewels and Rs. 20,000 cash, all kept in the almirah, from Leelavathi’s house and escaped.

Subsequently, Leelavathi lodged a complaint at the Kumbakonam West Police Station. The police conducted an enquiry and identified the con woman as Selvi (30), wife of Senbagaraman and resident of Sarangapani Vadampokki Street, Kumbakonam. The police have taken her into custody for interrogation.