A daring armed robbery has sent shockwaves through Keonjhar district, where three miscreants looted gold, silver jewellery, and cash worth more than Rs 50 lakh from the residence of a local jeweller. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Pandapada village, striking fear among residents due to its brazen nature and proximity to the local police station.
The Brazen Heist: How the Robbery Unfolded
The victim, identified as Sanjay Rana, a jewellery shop owner, had followed his usual routine. He closed his shop and carried the day's unsold jewellery inventory home in a bag. After leaving the bag at his house, Rana returned to the market for some pending work. This brief window provided the opportunity the criminals had allegedly been waiting for.
According to local accounts, the three robbers, who were speaking in Hindi, had been tailing the jeweller. They arrived at the isolated house and knocked on the door. When Sanjay's mother opened the door, the men forced their way in, holding her at gunpoint. The assailants then swiftly located the bag containing the jewellery and also took cash from a locker before making their escape in a car.
Location and Police Response
Adding to the audacity of the crime is its location – the house is situated barely half a kilometre from the Pandapada police station. The robbers are believed to have exploited the winter conditions, as the roads in the isolated area were deserted after 8 PM.
Upon being informed, police immediately reached the spot and launched a search operation. Pandapada police alerted nearby stations and sealed possible escape routes in an attempt to intercept the criminals, who are reported to have fled towards Harichandanpur. A police expert and a forensic team visited the scene on Tuesday morning to gather evidence.
Investigation and Official Statement
The police have launched a full-scale investigation. Laxmikanta Pradhan, the IIC of Pandapada police station, stated, "On the basis of CCTV footage and circumstantial evidence, we are conducting raids at various locations. The accused will be arrested soon and the looted items recovered."
The incident has triggered significant panic in the area, raising concerns about security in isolated villages despite the presence of police infrastructure. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to track down the three armed suspects and recover the stolen valuables worth over Rs 50 lakh.
