A jewellery store staffer in the busy Hirawadi market area of Panchavati, Nashik, sustained injuries after being struck with a firearm butt during an attempted robbery that occurred around 9 pm on Friday. The Panchavati police reported that six masked individuals arrived on three motorcycles, with four of them entering the store under the guise of customers interested in purchasing a gold chain.
Details of the Incident
According to the police, once inside, one of the suspects brandished a firearm and attempted to snatch jewellery from the counter. The store owner and two staff members immediately raised an alarm and resisted the robbery attempt. During the ensuing scuffle, one of the assailants struck a staff member on the head with the butt of his gun. Despite the assault, the staffer and the owner continued to resist and shout for help, which caused the robbers to panic and flee on their motorcycles empty-handed.
Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving the alert, police swiftly arrived at the scene. Senior Inspector Gajendra Patil of the Panchavati police stated, “There was no firing during the incident. The injured staffer suffered a forehead wound and required a few stitches, but his condition is stable.” A case has been registered under sections 310(2) (dacoity) and 311 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
Police teams have been formed to trace the suspects, though as of Saturday afternoon, no leads had been established. Senior officers including DCP (crime) Kirankumar Chavan, ACP (crime) Sandeep Mitke, ACP Shekhar Deshmukh, and others visited the spot as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident highlights the boldness of criminals targeting jewellery stores in busy markets, but the quick response and resistance by the store staff prevented any loss of valuables. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
