Vaniyambadi Taluk police arrested 24-year-old S. Murugan for murdering an elderly woman after robbing her gold earrings and bangles. Murugan, from Bethakallupatti village near Vaniyambadi, was unemployed and in debt. He borrowed money from friends, relatives, and online loan apps. Police said he planned to steal gold jewellery from locked houses to pay his debts. The victim, 65-year-old N. Pounammal, lived alone in a hut and wore gold ornaments. Murugan tried to break into several houses but failed. On January 6, he targeted Pounammal. Murugan said, "I tried to steal gold jewellery from her but she resisted my bid." Angry, he hit her with a stone, causing her to collapse. Police were alerted by locals, and Superintendent of Police V. Shyamala Devi inspected the scene. Forensic experts took fingerprints, and sniffer dogs searched for clues. Police used CCTV footage and spoke to locals and pawn brokers about pledged gold. This helped them find the suspect. Murugan was arrested and kept in the Tirupattur sub-jail. A case has been registered against him.