KOCHI: In a bizarre theft that’s being dubbed the “Pre-Onam oil heist,” a grocery store in Aluva, Kerala, was targeted not for cash or valuables—but for coconut oil. The incident brings back memories of the infamous 2007 Malappuram gold heist, where burglars drilled through the floor of a bank to steal 80 kg of gold. This time, however, the target was far less glittering but arguably just as precious ahead of the festive season.
With coconut oil prices in Kerala surging ahead of Onam, grocery stores have started treating the item like a high-value commodity. Prices have nearly doubled in recent weeks, climbing from around ₹260 to over ₹500 per litre, with premium virgin coconut oil fetching even higher prices.
Store owner Ayoob Puthanpurayil discovered his shop ransacked on Sunday morning. Missing: 30 one-litre bottles of virgin coconut oil priced at ₹600 each, along with a few packs of gingelly oil, apples, and milk. Curiously, ₹5,000 in cash and even a charity donation box were left untouched.
"The real loss was the oil—it’s worth three times more than the cash," Puthanpurayil remarked.
The thief initially attempted a floor-level break-in by digging through the sand behind the store, echoing the style of the Malappuram heist. However, his plans were thwarted by a simple plywood barrier—installed to keep out rats.
Undeterred, the burglar eventually forced entry through a narrow rear door, likely restricting the volume of stolen goods to what could be carried by hand. Evidence suggests he spent hours inside the store: opened curd packets, empty water bottles, and disturbed shelves were found scattered across the shop.
"He must have worked for hours in low light to get that far," said Puthanpurayil, noting that the shop is secured on three sides and shielded from the road.
This marks the fourth such incident in the area, according to the shopkeeper. Although he has CCTV footage of the break-in, he chose not to pursue a police case after being discouraged by procedural hurdles. Police confirmed no formal complaint has been lodged.
As Onam nears and coconut oil prices continue to climb, shopkeepers are now locking up their stock—literally like liquid gold.
