The window through which the burglars entered the Se Cathedral’s office after cutting the grills and breaking the window pane glass. Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Burglars broke into the office of the Se Cathedral and stole cash of Rs 80,000 and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in the wee hours of Sunday.
The burglars apparently cut the grills, later broke the window pane glass and then opened the latch of the window to make their entry into the office.
Speaking to The Goan, Se Cathedral Parish Priest Fr Alfred Vaz said the burglars apparently made their way into the office by cutting the grills of a window located near the office attendant’s desk.
“The burglars then broke the glass of the window pane, after which they opened latch of the window and entered the office,” said, Fr Vaz while further informing that cash of Rs 50,000 was stolen from the attendant’s drawer.
“Later, they effected entry in my office, which is never locked, and stole cash of Rs 30,000 which was kept in my drawer,” Fr Vaz stated.
Fr Vaz said the burglars also stole a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which was installed in the office, so that their misdeed caught on CCTV cameras does not come to light,” Fr Vaz added.
Fr Vaz said the incident came to light on Sunday morning when he had gone to the office to replace the batteries of the thermal gun used for Mass at the Se Cathedral.
“When I entered the office, I noticed things lying around and upon further probing, came to know that a burglary had been committed.”
“I immediately went out and closed the door. Later, I participated in the Sunday Mass and only after that I informed about the incident to the assistant parish priest and others, before notifying the Old Goa police,” Fr Vaz said.
On receipt of the information, the Old Goa police reached the site and pressed a police dog squad into service, while also deploying the services of a forensics team for any leads in the burglary.
However, it was noticed that all finger prints had been meticulously wiped by the burglars and they left behind a water bottle, which also did not have any fingerprints on it.
Asked if he has doubts about anyone’s involvement, Fr Vaz replied in the negative, but said that those who are involved were well aware of layout of the office, as they came through the window and exited through another way.
“They were also highly professional as they wiped off the fingerprints and also stole the DVR to hide their act,” Fr Vaz stated.
It also appeared that the persons who broke into the premises were slim as the passage to pass through the grills was very narrow.
Old Goa police sources informed some labourers, who were employed for work at the Se Cathedral, were investigated. However, no clue was obtained of their involvement.
PSI Chetan Saulekar is conducting further investigations in the matter.
