PANAJI:
In a coordinated interstate operation, the Goa Police assisted their Kerala counterparts in apprehending a habitual offender accused of cheating a jewellery shop owner in Kasargode district and fleeing with gold ornaments worth several lakhs.
In a statement issued, Goa police said that a case was registered at Bakel Police Station in Kerala's Kasargode district on May 27 after the accused allegedly entered a jewellery establishment, selected gold ornaments including rings and a necklace, and presented a fake online payment confirmation before absconding with the valuables.
Acting on intelligence shared by the Kerala Police, Goa's Crime Branch launched a search operation after learning that the suspect was known to travel to Goa and indulge in leisure activities following the commission of such offences.
Crime Branch Inspector Dattaguru Sawant, along with Assistant Sub-Inspector Dinesh Pikulkar and Head Constable Sandeep Madkaikar, teamed up with Calangute Police Station personnel Head Constable Vidyanand Amonkar and police constables Ganpat Tiloji and Amir Garad to conduct searches at multiple locations in Panaji and Calangute.
Investigators also gathered intelligence indicating that the accused frequently visited casinos and party venues after committing crimes. Based on this information, police alerted the management of casinos and party clubs across North Goa and kept a close watch on potential locations.
Following an extensive search, police on May 30 received information about the suspect's presence at a party venue in Calangute. A team immediately rushed to the location and, after verifying his identity, successfully apprehended the accused.
Kerala Police officers, who were present in Goa during the operation, recovered the stolen gold ornaments from the accused and subsequently took him into custody for further investigation in Kerala.
An IPS officer from the Kerala Police, who was personally supervising the case, appreciated the professionalism, integrity and prompt assistance extended by the Goa Police in tracing and apprehending the accused.
The entire operation was supervised by Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rahul Gupta
