In a brazen daylight robbery in Valsad, three men forcibly entered a first-floor apartment on Tuesday afternoon and made off with cash and valuables worth Rs 3.86 lakh at knifepoint. The incident occurred around 12:30 PM at the residence of Ranjan Parekh, a 69-year-old woman whose children reside in London. At the time of the crime, Parekh and her housemaid, Nita Rathod, were present in the apartment located in the Vegetable Market area.
Details of the Robbery
According to a complaint lodged at Valsad police station, Parekh was in the bathroom while Rathod was cleaning the house. The front door had been left open, providing an opportunity for the three assailants to enter. When Rathod noticed the intruders, she raised an alarm. The robbers immediately threatened her with a knife and warned that she would be killed if she continued shouting. Upon hearing the commotion, Parekh came out of the bathroom. One of the robbers pushed her back inside, covered her mouth, and threatened to kill her. He then forcibly removed the jewellery she was wearing.
Search for Valuables
The accused demanded money, took the keys to the drawers, and searched the house thoroughly for valuables. Police reported that the robbers stole silver idols and Rs 60,000 in cash. Before fleeing, they tied the hands and legs of both Parekh and Rathod using a dupatta. The total value of the stolen cash, jewellery, and other valuables has been estimated at Rs 3.86 lakh.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have recovered CCTV footage showing the movement of the suspects, and further investigation is ongoing. The police are analyzing the footage to identify and apprehend the culprits. The incident has shocked the local community, highlighting concerns about security in residential areas.
