Kendrapada Jewellery Showroom Targeted in Midnight Robbery
Unidentified criminals executed a daring robbery at a jewellery showroom in Kendrapada district. The incident occurred late on Monday night at Thakurapatana village. The miscreants used a gas cutter to create a hole in the shop's shutter. They then entered the premises and made off with a significant haul.
Owner Threatened During Confrontation
Store owner Dipti Ranjan Sahoo closed his shop around 9 pm on Monday and returned home. He later checked the CCTV feed on his mobile phone. The footage revealed three unidentified individuals entering his store at midnight. Sahoo immediately rushed back to the shop from his house in Gualisingh, which is about one kilometer away.
He attempted to stop the robbers upon arrival. However, the criminals brandished a revolver and threatened to kill him. They then fled the scene with the stolen jewellery. The owner was left unharmed but shaken by the encounter.
Police Launch Investigation with Forensic Support
Suvendu Kumar Sahoo, the IIC of Kendrapada Sadar police station, provided details about the ongoing investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the accused used a gas cutter to drill the hole in the shutter. The forensic team examined the crime scene thoroughly, and a formal case has been registered.
Authorities pressed a sniffer dog into service to gather clues. Police also seized several items left behind by the accused. These include a bike, a gas cutter, an LPG cylinder, a helmet, and a cap. Officers are currently examining CCTV footage for additional leads.
Possible Local Gang Involvement Suspected
The investigating officer suggested that the robbery likely required insider knowledge. "Only those who know the area well and had visited the shop a few times could have carried out the robbery," he stated. Police are scanning lists of criminals known for using similar methods. Local gangs are considered potential suspects in this case.
Recent Spate of Jewellery Robberies in the Area
This robbery follows another violent incident in the same region. On Sunday night, a gang of robbers attacked another jewellery shop owner at Hurasahi chowk. They chopped off the palms of Pradeep Nanda as he was returning to Thakurapatana in his car. The criminals then looted gold ornaments and cash he was carrying after closing his store at Mahala haat.
These back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about security for local business owners. Police are intensifying efforts to curb such crimes and apprehend those responsible.
