MAPUSA
Two persons were arrested on charges of burglary at the Shree Bodgeshwar temple in Mapusa in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The accused, Sagar Harishchandra Shinde (40) from Vijapur-Karnataka, and Anand Shivaji Naik (40) from North Hattagiri, Belagavi, but residing in Mapusa, were arrested within hours of the crime.
The burglary took place at 4.30 am, when the security guard was sleeping in the temple. Two suspects entered the temple premises, and broke open the Paduka Peti kept in front of the deity. The fund box was full with the donations by devotees.
The suspects tried to remove the money from the Paduka Peti which had a glass covering. They hit the glass with a wooden rod, the sound of which woke security guard Dashrath Thakur.
He shouted for help and rushed to the fund box. The thieves picked up cash and ran out of the temple. The security guard ran after them but they managed to escape.
The police began search operation immediately and found the two suspects not far from the temple. When the duo were brought to the police station, and inquired, they admitted to the crime.
The two accused were arrested under sections 379, 427 and 34 IPC. Further investigations are in progress.
