Bhubaneswar Residents Alarmed as Snatchers Strike Twice in a Single Day
The city of Bhubaneswar was rocked by two separate and audacious snatching incidents on Tuesday, leaving the local community in a state of fear and prompting an intensive police investigation. Within a span of just a few hours, criminals targeted both an elderly woman and a jewellery store, making off with gold ornaments valued in lakhs of rupees.
Morning Walk Turns Terrifying for Police Officer's Mother
The first incident occurred around 9 am in the Sailashree Vihar area. Sakuntala Mohanty, a 76-year-old woman and mother of a police officer, was on her morning walk when she became the victim of a planned attack. Two individuals riding a motorcycle and wearing masks slowed down near her, swiftly snatching her gold chain, which was estimated to be worth nearly Rs 3 lakh.
Mohanty, still visibly shaken from the experience, described the harrowing moment. "I raised an alarm, but I found myself completely alone on that desolate street. I am feeling very unsafe now. I never imagined that I would be a victim of such a snatching," she recounted, highlighting the profound fear that has gripped her following the sudden and violent assault.
This crime follows closely on the heels of another similar incident in Nayapalli on February 4, where an armed miscreant robbed an elderly woman of her earrings and bangles at gunpoint, indicating a troubling pattern of targeting vulnerable individuals.
Jewellery Store Robbed in Brazen Afternoon Heist
Barely a few hours after the first snatching, a second and equally brazen robbery unfolded in the Kalinga Vihar area, under the jurisdiction of the Tamando police station. Around 1 pm, a masked man entered a local jewellery store under the guise of being a customer shopping for ornaments for his sister's wedding.
Store owner Bijay Barik was in the process of calculating the price of a gold chain and rings when the situation took a dangerous turn. The miscreant suddenly sprayed pepper into Barik's eyes, temporarily blinding him, and then fled the scene with jewellery valued at over Rs 6 lakh.
"He asked for ornaments, and when I was busy with the bill, he attacked me and ran away," Barik stated, still recovering from the shock of the incident. CCTV footage from the store captured the entire sequence, revealing the criminal's calculated deception and swift escape, providing crucial evidence for investigators.
Safety Concerns Mount Amid Ongoing Assembly Session
The twin snatching incidents have sparked significant safety concerns among Bhubaneswar residents, particularly as the city is currently hosting an ongoing assembly session. The proximity of these crimes has raised questions about public security and the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing such brazen acts.
Police investigators have immediately sprung into action, examining CCTV footage from both crime scenes in an effort to trace the culprits. Senior police officers have indicated that they suspect the involvement of separate gangs, given the distinct modus operandi observed in the two incidents.
"We are analysing the crime pattern thoroughly and actively looking for leads to identify and apprehend those responsible," a senior police officer stated, emphasizing the department's commitment to solving these cases and restoring public confidence.
The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and improved security measures in urban areas, especially for elderly citizens and business establishments dealing with valuable assets.
