A broad daylight attempted robbery by two masked men, one with a revolver, at a jewellery showroom in western India’s Maharashtra was thwarted by the owner.

The incident took place at Kothari Jewelers located in Vijay Park in Thane on May 27.

Visuals showed the main accused keeping his backpack on a stool and striking a conversation with owner. The men told the owner, Mohit Kothari about wanting to exchange an old finger ring with a new one. Suspecting something amiss, Kothari moved towards the door and asked them to leave the showroom. He picked up his mobile to make a call when the two accused charged towards him and tried to overpower him.

The main suspect pulled out a revolver and aimed towards the owner, who immediately bent down, picked up an iron rod and swirled it towards the thieves. He even raised an alarm seeking help, but as the showroom door was closed, the sound did not travel out. The entire incident went on for less than two minutes. He managed to run out of the shop. The two accused followed him and fled on their motorbike along with the jeweller’s snatched cellphone.

While the thieves fled on a motorbike after snatching the jeweller’s cell phone, their faces were captured on the showroom’s cameras.

Kothari, owner of Kothari Jewellers located in Vijay Park, was alone in his showroom when two masked men entered at around 4.11pm posing as customers. One of them was masked, had worn gloves and was carrying a backpack. The other had his mask below the chin. Both were in their 20s and spoke in Hindi.

Mira Road police said CCTV footage from the locality showed the accused fleeing on a motorbike towards Silver Park in Mira Road.

Police said they suspect the revolver was fake as the accused had not fired, and the accused could have kept a watch on the jeweller. Kothari told police he was alone in the shop as his help had gone out for some work. A team has been formed to nab the suspects. The face of the accused whose mask was below the chin has been circulated across police stations for leads. Kothari sustained minor injuries. A case of attempted theft has been registered.