A dramatic thwarted robbery attempt at a jewellery store in Ahmedabad’s Ranip locality has sparked widespread attention online after security camera footage of the incident began circulating on social media.

According to police, a woman entered the shop posing as a potential buyer, her face partly covered with a dupatta. She sat across from the jeweller and engaged him briefly in conversation before suddenly hurling chilli powder at him, allegedly to immobilise him and snatch valuables.

But the shopkeeper reacted instantly. He managed to avoid the chilli powder, grabbed the woman, and—overcome with shock and anger—slapped her repeatedly in rapid succession before forcing her out of the store.

The woman fled the area before authorities could reach the spot. Based on the CCTV recording, Ranip police have begun efforts to identify and trace her.