Armed Gang Strikes Lucknow Homes, Kidnaps Child in Rs 17 Lakh Robbery Spree
In a brazen late-night crime spree on Tuesday, armed miscreants allegedly targeted four houses under the Sushant Golf City police station limits in Lucknow, looting jewelry and cash worth over Rs 17 lakh and briefly kidnapping a 5-year-old girl, according to police reports.
Coordinated Robberies Trigger Panic
The incident unfolded around 4 am in the Mai Ji ka Purwa locality, where the criminals entered homes through rooftops in a coordinated series of robberies. Victims reported that the accused specifically targeted the residences of a shopkeeper, a contractor, and another local resident, exploiting the cover of darkness to carry out their operations.
Family Confrontation and Kidnapping
Ashish Yadav, a street food vendor, recounted the harrowing experience. He, along with his wife and child, were asleep when the robbers forcibly entered their home. Upon hearing the commotion, Yadav raised an alarm, prompting his wife—who was sleeping in an adjacent room with their child—to confront the intruders.
The miscreants threatened her at gunpoint and snatched a bag containing valuable jewelry. When she resisted their demands, they pushed her to the ground and abducted her 5-year-old daughter, escalating the situation into a kidnapping case.
Dramatic Escape and Recovery
As villagers mobilized to chase the accused, the gang reportedly abandoned the child approximately 200 meters away from the scene. They then fled on motorcycles, allegedly firing shots into the air to deter any pursuit and ensure their escape.
Extensive Loot and Financial Impact
The gang's robbery spree resulted in significant financial losses for the victims:
- Jewelry worth around Rs 7 lakh was stolen from Ashish Yadav's house.
- Contractor Rajpal Rawat's residence was targeted, with valuables worth nearly Rs 10 lakh and Rs 90,000 in cash taken.
- Additional thefts were reported from nearby houses, contributing to the total loot exceeding Rs 17 lakh.
Community Outcry and Police Response
The incident triggered widespread panic in the village, with residents expressing frustration over what they described as a delayed police response. Senior police officials, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and forensic teams, arrived at the scene to investigate the crimes.
Authorities noted that claims of the kidnapping are still under verification, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the evidence. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), South, Vasanth Kumar, stated, "A case has been registered and multiple teams deployed to arrest the accused."
The police are actively pursuing leads to apprehend the perpetrators and restore a sense of security in the affected community.
