A major theft was narrowly averted in Kandivli late Friday night after a burglar broke into a home and escaped with imitation jewellery, leaving behind real gold ornaments worth lakhs. The thief mistook the fake jewellery for the real deal, while the genuine ornaments were securely stored in boxes. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the society.

The victim, Tushar Ramesh Dharod, 44, resides in the Shafalya building on Kasturba Cross Road, Kandivli West. According to sources, the same suspect attempted break-ins at three to four homes in the vicinity. While he managed to steal gold jewellery worth R6 lakh from a neighbouring society, he left the Dharod household without taking a single real ornament.