PANAJI
Porvorim Police have arrested two locals including a 44-year-old habitual offender for their alleged involvement in a series of organized house burglaries across North Goa. The accused identified as Maria Baptistao, a resident of Benaulim and his accomplice Mohd Sufian, a 20-year-old BCom student from Navelim, were arrested after a series of coordinated efforts by multiple police stations.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Akshat Kaushal stated that the accused are suspected of being part of a larger gang involved in house thefts while they are suspected to have committed thefts in Nagali Hills, Bambolim, and Mapusa and Siolim police station jurisdictions over months.
“The burglaries were committed in the early morning hours with the gang leaving little evidence behind. While examining several CCTV footages, we discovered that the same person appeared in most of the footage we received and he was wearing a face mask,” Kaushal said.
Police teams from Panaji, Porvorim and other police stations in the North district were formed to trace the culprits. 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 jewelry and used the proceeds... The main accused had been inactive for some time but has now resumed his activities. He has a long history of criminal cases,” the officer added.
The Porvorim police are currently interrogating two other locals, who are believed to have been receivers of the stolen property.
The police are investigating several FIRs registered across Panaji, Mapusa, Porvorim and Anjuna police stations. The thieves’ involvement in crimes in the South district, if any, will be probed by South Goa police. Kaushal said that South Goa police have been informed about the arrests. “Their teams will question the accused and accordingly necessary legal action will be initiated,” he added.
