MAPUSA
Porvorim police arrested two more persons in connection with a series of organised burglaries across the State.
The ‘masked gang’ is believed to have broken into over 70 houses in Bardez, Tiswadi, Ponda and Mormugao taluka between February and September.
Earlier on Wednesday, police had arrested Maria Baptista of Benaulim and his accomplice Mohammad Sufian, a 20-year-old BCom student from Navelim. On Thursday night, police arrested Samar Pal of West Bengal but residing at Davorlim and Philip Rato of Benaulim.
While a Mapusa court has remanded Baptista and Sufian to six days in custody, Pal and Rato have been remanded to seven days in custody.
Police are also investigating the involvement of a prominent goldsmith from Margao, who is alleged to have purchased the stolen jewellery from the accused.
Sources said while Samar Pal is a jeweller, Philip Rato was acting as a middleman to take the stolen jewellery from Baptista and sell it to artisans and other goldsmiths. There is a possibility that some more persons may be arrested in this case.
Police sources added that the masked gang had targetted houses in various parts of the State, including Porvorim, Mapusa, Siolim, Saligao, Nagali, Don Paula, Merces, Bambolim, Pali and Ponda.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Akshat Kaushal said the burglaries were committed in the early morning hours with the gang leaving little evidence behind.
“While examining several CCTV footage, we discovered that the same person appeared in most of the footage we received and he was wearing a face mask,” Kaushal said.
The SP added that during the investigation, it was revealed that the gang frequently changed vehicles, hiring them every month to commit the thefts.
“They committed thefts, disposed of (sell) the stolen jewellery and used the proceeds...The main accused had been inactive for some time but had resumed his activities. He has a long history of criminal cases,” the officer added.
