A gang of masked dacoits looted valuables, after assaulting an elderly couple in their farmhouse near Pollachi, in the early hours of today.

The five-member gang, covering their face with clothes, knocked the door of the farmhouse in Pil Chinnapalayam village in the early hours. When the inmates of the house, 75-year-old Paramasivam and 65-year-old Krishnaveni, opened the door, they forced their way in and assaulted them.

One of the dacoits snatched the gold chain worn by the woman.

The gang then broke open a cupboard and took away Rs.10,000 in cash and silver articles weighing nearly two kilos, and decamped.

Police and finger-prints experts rushed to the spot and investigations are on.