Major Breakthrough in Hazaribag Jewellery Heist
In a significant development, the Hazaribag police have successfully recovered stolen gold and silver and arrested three out of four suspects involved in a daring armed robbery at a jewellery shop located at Barhi Chowk. The announcement was made by Hazaribag SP Anjani Anjan on Tuesday, marking a swift conclusion to a high-stakes investigation.
The Night of the Crime
The incident unfolded on the night of November 16, when four armed criminals arrived on two bikes and targeted the jewellery shop owned by brothers Surendra Kumar and Ravindra Kumar. The assailants not only stole the precious metals but also exhibited extreme aggression. They fired two rounds in the air to intimidate, damaged the brothers' car, and physically assaulted one of them.
An FIR was lodged on Monday, following which the police initiated a formal probe into the robbery. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, headed by SDPO Ajit Kumar Vimal, to lead the operation.
The Police Investigation and Recovery
The SIT conducted a thorough investigation, beginning with a visit to the crime scene at the busy Barhi Chowk. Piecing together clues, the team traced the movement of the criminals towards Gaya and managed to recover the SUV used by them for their escape.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects had moved from Chouparan to Sherghatti in Gaya district. Their luck ran out when local police in Gaya launched an anti-crime checking drive at the border area and apprehended them. From the criminals, the police recovered four arms and the bag containing the looted jewellery.
SP Anjani Anjan clarified a crucial detail, stating, “The value of the seized items was Rs 1.30 crore and not Rs 4.30 crore as reported by the owner.” Other significant items recovered from the accused included a bike, three country-made pistols, a country-made carbine, six live cartridges, and two mobile phones.
The Arrested Accused and Ongoing Manhunt
The three individuals taken into custody have been identified as Dhananjay Choudhury alias Chotu, Indraraj Choudhury, and Roshan Yadav. A manhunt is currently underway to capture the fourth accomplice who remains at large.
The police also shed light on the criminal backgrounds of the arrested men. Dhananjay Choudhury is a veteran criminal wanted in nine cases across police stations in Chatra, Gaya, and Sahibganj. Indraraj Choudhury was previously involved in a major loot case in Gaya district, and Roshan Yadav also has a known criminal history.
This operation highlights the effectiveness of coordinated police work in tackling serious organized crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
