Brave Shop Owners Foil Armed Robbery Attempt in Gujarat's Kutch District
A dramatic armed robbery attempt at a jewellery store in Mundra town, located in Gujarat's Kutch district, was successfully foiled on Monday after the shop owner and his son courageously fought back against four gun-wielding assailants. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, resulted in the arrest of one injured accused while his three accomplices managed to escape the scene, prompting a large-scale police manhunt.
Violent Confrontation Leads to Arrest and Injuries
According to police reports, the attempted heist occurred at Rudraksh Jewellers around 1:45 PM on Monday. The shop owner, Rajendra Hargovind Patadiya, and his son Vishal were present when the incident began. One individual entered the premises and engaged Vishal in conversation about purchasing a 1-gram gold chain, acting as a decoy. Moments later, three more men entered the shop with handkerchiefs tied around their faces to conceal their identities.
Two of the masked intruders immediately brandished firearms, pointing them directly at Rajendra and Vishal Patadiya. The remaining assailant began swiftly looting gold ornaments from the display cases, stuffing them into a bag they had brought along for the robbery. In a bold move, Rajendra Patadiya pushed the gunman threatening him, and his son Vishal followed suit, confronting the other armed individuals.
Chaotic Escape Attempt and Gunfire
The father-son duo managed to force themselves out of the shop during the struggle, creating a window of opportunity. As the confrontation escalated, one of the accused fled immediately. The remaining two robbers continued to fight with Rajendra and Vishal outside the premises while their third accomplice remained inside, hurriedly collecting more jewellery.
In a desperate attempt to intimidate gathering bystanders and facilitate their escape, one of the accused fired his weapon multiple times into the air outside the shop. The gunshots alarmed the local community, drawing more people to the scene. Under mounting pressure, the two accused outside abandoned their efforts and fled, leaving behind their partner who was still inside looting the store.
Heroic Tackle Leads to Apprehension
When the remaining robber, later identified as Pankaj Sharma, emerged from the shop carrying a bag filled with stolen jewellery, Vishal Patadiya executed a decisive tackle. The forceful collision sent both men crashing through the front glass panel of the jewellery store, resulting in injuries to both Vishal and the accused. Other shopkeepers in the vicinity quickly intervened, subduing Sharma and subsequently handing him over to the police.
Pankaj Sharma was promptly arrested and admitted to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Meanwhile, Vishal Patadiya also received medical attention for wounds sustained during the altercation.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Mundra police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on Rajendra Patadiya's complaint. The four accused, including the arrested Pankaj Sharma, face multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for:
- Voluntarily causing hurt while attempting to commit armed robbery
- Attempt to commit armed robbery while holding a deadly weapon
- House trespass prepared for causing hurt
Additional sections of the Arms Act and the Gujarat Police Act have also been invoked against the perpetrators.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gautam Vivekanandan of the Mundra Division, Kutch (West) Police, provided details on the ongoing investigation. "While one person was arrested on the spot, the other three accused managed to escape," stated ASP Vivekanandan. "Pankaj Sharma, who was arrested, has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. We are trying to trace the other three accused. We are checking the CCTV footage and several teams have been deployed to apprehend them."
The police have launched an intensive manhunt for the three fugitives, utilizing multiple investigative teams and reviewing surveillance footage from the area. The incident has heightened security concerns in the commercial district of Mundra, with authorities urging business owners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately.
