Bhubaneswar: Thieves reportedly struck at five temples in Remuna area of Odisha’s Balasore district last night and escaped with idols, ornaments and other valuables worth lakhs.

The thieves struck at Mangala temple and Hanuman temple at Patripal, Shiva temple at Kantabania, Mangala temple at Tentulida and Shiva temple at Unida in Remuna area of Balasore yesterday night, sources said.

The burglars stole a few brass idols from newly-consecrated Shiva temple at Kantabania and gold and silver ornaments of deities and utensils from the remaining four temples, villagers said.

The burglary came to the light only after the priests opened the shrines for performance of daily rituals today morning.

On being informed, the police inspected the five shrines and launched a probe in this regard.

“The thieves have burgled several temples and mutts in Remuna area of Balasore in last few months and decamped with ornaments and other valuables worth lakhs. The police have failed to bust the burglary racket and recover the stolen items,” said a villager.