A 72-year-old retired schoolteacher in Ratlam fell victim to a cleverly orchestrated theft on Sunday, when conmen made off with her bag containing gold jewellery, cash, and a mobile phone after luring her into a conversation. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the area, and the footage surfaced on Monday night, enabling police to piece together the sequence of events.
Details of the Incident
According to a complaint lodged at the Station Road police station, Mohini Raichandani, a resident of Mitra Niwas Colony, was on her way to a gurdwara in Shastri Nagar when she was approached by two unidentified men. They struck up a conversation with her and warned her about thieves allegedly targeting people wearing gold ornaments in the locality.
The duo then advised the elderly woman to remove her jewellery and keep it safely inside her bag. Trusting their advice, Raichandani removed her gold mangalsutra weighing about one tola and placed it in the bag before continuing towards the gurdwara.
Police said that the two men approached her again moments later and convinced her to hand over the bag, assuring her that they would keep it safe and return it later. Believing them, she handed over the bag. The accused fled immediately with the belongings before the victim could realize she had been cheated.
Stolen Items
The bag contained a gold mangalsutra, a gold patli weighing around one-and-a-half tolas, a keypad mobile phone, and about Rs 2,000 in cash. The victim informed her family after returning home and subsequently approached the police.
Investigation and CCTV Footage
CCTV footage revealed that the two suspects met two other individuals waiting nearby on motorcycles before fleeing from the area. The riders were wearing helmets, making identification difficult. Investigators suspect all four were involved in the crime.
Station Road police station in-charge Jitendra Singh Jadaun said that teams have been formed to identify the accused and trace their escape route. A case has been registered against unidentified persons.
This incident serves as a reminder for elderly citizens to remain cautious of strangers offering unsolicited advice, especially regarding valuables. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
