Bhubaneswar Police Nab Youth in Gunpoint Robbery of Elderly Woman
In a swift operation, the Bhubaneswar city police on Thursday apprehended a young man linked to a recent armed robbery targeting an elderly woman in the Nayapalli area. The arrest sheds light on a disturbing incident that had sparked significant safety concerns among local residents.
Details of the Crime and Arrest
The accused, identified as Ashok Behera, aged 21 and a resident of Behera Basti in Nayapalli, allegedly carried out the robbery on the morning of February 4. According to police reports, Behera targeted 68-year-old Indumati Balabantaray while she was plucking flowers in her garden around 5 am. Wearing a hoodie and brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, he robbed her of gold earrings and bangles at gunpoint.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone-V) Biswaranjan Senapati stated that the police team meticulously scanned several CCTV cameras in the locality to trace the suspect. The stolen items, including gold earrings and bangles—later found to be not made of gold—have been successfully recovered. Investigations further revealed that Behera used a toy gun to intimidate the victim, which has also been seized by the authorities.
Motivation and Background of the Accused
During interrogation, Behera confessed to committing the crime due to severe financial pressure. He admitted needing money to clear a debt of approximately Rs 20,000, which he aimed to repay through the robbery. Police verification indicated that Behera has no prior criminal record, highlighting this as an isolated act driven by desperation.
ACP Senapati added that after the robbery, Behera fled the scene on a two-wheeler parked about 200 metres from the victim's house. Interestingly, he had lived near Balabantaray's residence 10 to 15 years ago and was familiar with her daily routine. Knowing she typically woke up around 5 am to pluck flowers, he planned the robbery during the early hours when the streets were largely deserted, exploiting this knowledge for the crime.
Community Impact and Police Response
The brazen nature of the offence had raised serious safety alarms in the Nayapalli locality, with residents expressing heightened concerns over such incidents. The police's prompt action in arresting the suspect and recovering the stolen items has been commended as a step towards restoring public confidence.
This case underscores the challenges of financial distress leading to criminal behavior, even among individuals with no previous criminal antecedents. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of community vigilance and robust surveillance systems in preventing such crimes.
