Surat Brothers Lose Rs 35 Lakh in Daring SUV Heist on Busy Road
In a shocking incident that unfolded on a bustling street in Surat, two brothers were robbed of a staggering Rs 35 lakh from their SUV by four unidentified individuals on Thursday evening. The brazen heist, executed with precision in the Rander area, has left the local community and authorities alarmed, prompting a swift police response.
Details of the Targeted Robbery
The victims, identified as Ankit Puniya and Shivratna Puniya, are originally from Rajasthan and currently reside in the Kim area of Surat. Both brothers are actively engaged in the construction business. On the day of the incident, they were returning after collecting a substantial amount of cash from an angadiya firm located in the Mahidharpura area.
At approximately 4 PM, as their SUV slowed down near the Prakash Mobile Store in Ramnagar, a motorcycle deliberately rammed into the back of their vehicle. The impact caused the rider to fall to the ground, creating a scene that appeared to be a routine traffic accident.
The Deceptive Collision and Swift Theft
Believing the collision to be an unfortunate accident, the compassionate brothers immediately stopped their vehicle to assist the fallen rider. As curious passers-by began to gather around the scene, one of the brothers stepped out of the SUV and, as a precaution, locked the vehicle doors.
In those few critical moments, two men swiftly approached the SUV. They smashed one of the windows, reached inside, and snatched a bag containing Rs 35 lakh in cash. Before anyone could react, the thieves fled the scene, disappearing into the crowded surroundings.
A Well-Planned Criminal Operation
Almost simultaneously, the motorcycle rider and his accomplice, who had been pretending to be injured, also vanished from the spot. This rapid and coordinated disappearance made it abundantly clear to the Puniya brothers that the entire collision had been a carefully orchestrated part of a larger criminal plan designed to distract them and facilitate the theft.
Realizing they had been duped, the brothers promptly alerted the local police, setting off an immediate investigation into the high-value robbery.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Senior police officers, including Rander police inspector R J Chaudhary, joint commissioner of police (crime) Raghvendra Vatsa, and deputy commissioner of police (crime) Bhavesh Rojia, rushed to the scene of the crime. Multiple specialized teams were quickly formed to pursue all possible leads and apprehend the suspects.
Authorities are currently examining extensive CCTV footage obtained from nearby shops and residential societies in the area. This footage is being meticulously analyzed to identify the four unidentified individuals involved in the heist and trace their escape routes.
Police are also investigating whether the victims had any prior acquaintance with the accused, as this could provide crucial insights into the motive and planning behind the targeted robbery. The investigation remains active, with efforts focused on recovering the stolen cash and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
