LUCKNOW, Dec. 15 -- In a well-planned burglary, thieves allegedly locked the gates of neighbouring houses from the outside before breaking into a locked home and stealing cash and jewellery worth several lakhs in Lucknow's Thakurganj area, police said.

The theft occurred around 3 am on December 12 at a house near Town Hall School in Nawabganj. According to the complaint lodged at the Thakurganj police station, the accused first locked the gates of nearby houses from the outside to prevent residents from stepping out, before targeting the locked home.

Police said the main gate of the victim's house was also found locked from the outside, suggesting the burglars deliberately created a barrier to delay detection and facilitate a smooth esc...