Cases of thefts and burglaries are on the rise with incidents becoming a regular affair in the city. Only in February- March, about 15 cases of theft and burglary have been reported in and around the city.
Close on the heels of a gang of robbers swooping on a residential flat at New Baradwari posing as courier boys a week ago, another gang of armed robbers pretended themselves to be cops and fled with cash and jewellery worth over `15 lakh from a residential flat at Sonari last night.
The robbery at Sonari took place in the apartment located at Adarsh Nagar housing colony VIIth phase on Saturday. The house where the criminals swooped is on the third floor and belongs to Tapan Chatterjee, a retired Tata Steel employee.
“We are in state of shock. As we opened the door, the man with the police cap said they have a search warrant as they have the information that we have given shelter to a criminal known as Jitendra Singh. But the moment we asked to show the search warrant and his I-card, three more men, all between 40 to 30 years age group, entered into the house and bolted the door from inside,” narrated wife Sushama.
Sushama, who retired from Tata Main Hospital said “all the four men took out pistols from their trousers and took both of us under control, threatening to fire if argue about their search any further. Then one of the robbers moved around the flat, saying where we have kept Jitendra and after returning to the hall, he demanded to open the almirah, claiming that we have hidden Jitenrdra's pistol in it,” said the elderly woman.
The woman said the robbers stayed at their house for over 45 minutes and fled the scene at quarter to 10. She said then somehow they managed to untie their hands and informed a neighbour who immediately inform the police.
Officer-in-charge, Sonari police station, Suman Anand was the first to arrive at the spot. Then SP (City) Chandan Jha, senior SP Anoop T Mathew, and deputy superintendents of police, Amar Pandey and KN Mishra also reached there for inspection.
At the time, the robbery took place, a private security guard was posted at the gate of the Adarsh Nagar Phase VII, but he could not get any hint of the crime.
Deputy superintendent of police (headquarters-II), Amar Pandey claimed that behind the robbery committed at Sonari is the same gang which had struck at New Baradwari on February 29.
“The probe is on. We have picked up two-three men suspected to be involved in the robbery at Adarsh Nagar. So far no concrete clue has been established, but we are hopeful that the gang will be busted soon,” said Pandey.