Armed Gang Executes Brazen Daylight Heist in Darbhanga, Stealing Jewels Worth Rs 1.8 Crore
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Patna, April 3 (NationPress) An audacious daylight heist took place at a jewellery store in Darbhanga, Bihar, on Friday, where a group of armed robbers made away with valuables worth approximately Rs 1.8 crore, escalating concerns regarding law enforcement in the region.
The robbery unfolded around 2:55 p.m. at "Prem Jewellers," situated in the bustling Bara Bazar area, which falls under the Nagar Police Station jurisdiction.
Shop owner Manoj Kumar reported that four armed assailants stormed the store, taking customers and employees hostage at gunpoint, completing the robbery in mere minutes.
“They verbally abused and physically assaulted us. We were in sheer panic and opted not to resist. They even attempted to damage the CCTV DVR and Wi-Fi equipment,” stated Kumar.
Initial assessments indicate that the culprits made off with approximately Rs 1.5 crore in gold and silver jewellery, alongside Rs 22–25 lakh in cash. Given that the shop operates on a wholesale level, a significant inventory was available at the time. The precise total loss will be determined following a complete inventory check.
This robbery occurred in one of the city's most crowded commercial districts, leading to allegations that police arrived nearly thirty minutes post-incident.
Senior officials, including DIG Manoj Tiwari and SSP Jagannath Reddy, rushed to the location and launched a high-level investigation. The SSP has verified the occurrence of the crime.
Authorities believe the suspects are aged between 25 and 30, with at least one perpetrator having his face uncovered. They are currently analyzing CCTV footage and have established district-wide checkpoints to apprehend the offenders.
In contrast, a recent jewellery heist in Patna saw prompt police intervention. Last Tuesday, four armed robbers stole jewellery valued at Rs 4 lakh from a shop in the Danapur area. The police swiftly organized a special investigation team with senior officers.
Employing CCTV footage and technical surveillance, the team tracked the suspects’ movements and mobile signals, leading to the arrest of all four individuals within two days from locations outside Patna. A significant portion of the stolen items was recovered, along with illegal firearms and the motorcycle utilized in the crime.
Preliminary inquiries suggested that the robbery was premeditated, assisted by a local insider. The suspects, hailing from Siwan and Saran districts, confessed during questioning, and authorities are investigating potential links to other robberies.
The stark difference between the swift resolution of the Patna case and the audacious Darbhanga robbery has sparked intense discussions regarding policing and preparedness for security in Bihar. This alarming incident has raised concerns among merchants and residents, especially in busy market sectors.
Authorities have indicated that efforts are being made to capture the culprits as soon as possible, aiming to restore public confidence.