Burglars decamped with 16 sovereigns of gold jewellery, three kg of silver objects and ₹6 lakh in cash from the house of a AIADMK functionary at Kadambanallur village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet on Sunday.

Police said that the victim is T. Sampath, 58, former president of Kadambanallur village panchayat in the district. He has been living with his wife, two children and parents in the village for many years.

Initial inquiry revealed that Sampath returned home from work around 2 a.m. on Sunday and went to the first floor of the house, where his family members and parents were sleeping. Sometime later, he saw three persons running from the ground floor of the house.

As he raised the alarm, other family members and neighbours rushed to the ground floor and found that cupboards were broken and valuables were looted. The suspects had entered the ground floor by breaking the rear door of the house.

Residents alerted Thakkolam police, who came to the spot with sniffer dogs and registered a case. Special teams were formed to nab the suspects. Police are also analysing CCTV footage on the route. Further probe is under way.