Thanjavur: Thieves entered the house of a farmer in Vallam near Thanjavur early today and made away with seven sovereigns of gold, even as his family members were sleeping in the house.

Maria Francis, 33, residing in Old Agraharam street in Vallam, was sleeping last night with the doors left open for ventilation. Taking advantage of this, the thieves easily entered the house, snatched a chain weighing three sovereigns from his wife and another chain weighing four sovereigns from his sister-in-law and escaped.

The theft came to light when the two victims awoke in the morning. Based on a complaint by Maria Francis, Vallam police have registered a case and further investigation is on.