Vardhman Jewellers in Sonari targetted, six armed men flee after loot, CCTV captures incident
Jamshedpur, Sep 3: Six armed criminals carried out a daylight robbery at Vardhman Jewellers in Sonari police station area on Wednesday afternoon. The incident, which took place near the ACB office around 12:58 pm, has created an atmosphere of fear in the locality.
According to reports, the gang of six entered the jewellery shop posing as customers. Initially, they enquired about ornaments, claiming they were buying gold for their mother.
Eyewitnesses said the men had already conducted a recce of the shop two hours earlier, clicking pictures of jewellery before leaving. They returned shortly after to execute the robbery.
Once inside, the criminals pulled out firearms and overpowered shop owner Pankaj Jain and his brother Manish Jain. When Pankaj resisted, he was brutally attacked with the butt of a pistol, leaving him with a serious head injury. A shot was also fired during the scuffle, though fortunately no one was hit.
The injured shopkeeper was immediately rushed to Tata Main Hospital (TMH) where he was admitted for treatment. Doctors confirmed that Pankaj sustained significant head injuries but is currently out of danger.
The entire episode was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the shop. The footage reportedly shows the armed miscreants assaulting the owner and creating panic before fleeing with jewellery. While escaping, they left behind bags and caps, which police have recovered as evidence.
Local residents and shopkeepers gathered outside the store as news of the robbery spread. Senior police officials, including the City SP, quickly reached the spot and began investigations. The police have sealed the shop and are interrogating witnesses to gather more details.
This is not the first time jewellery shops in the area have been targeted. A day before the assembly elections, MP Jewellers in Sonari was also robbed. Earlier, Sumit Jewellers had lost Rs 11 lakh in a similar incident.
The fresh robbery has once again raised concerns over the increasing audacity of criminals operating in broad daylight. Many residents expressed shock, saying such incidents have created an atmosphere of terror and insecurity in the area.
Police sources confirmed that the value of jewellery looted has not yet been ascertained.
Investigators are reviewing the CCTV footage and suspect that the same gang might be involved in earlier robberies. A massive search operation has been launched to trace the culprits.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements.
Meanwhile, traders in the locality are demanding stronger security measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Daylight robbery raises questions on police efficiency: Saryu Roy
Jamshedpur, Sept 3: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy expressed serious concern over the daylight robbery incident in Sonari, marking the third such case in the area. In a statement, he questioned the credibility of the police, stating that repeated incidents indicated laxity in law enforcement.
Roy urged police officials to strictly monitor constables, officers, and informers at the Sonari police station. He highlighted that the entire incident had been captured on CCTV and pressed for the immediate arrest of the culprits, demanding results by tonight.
“It is a matter of concern why such crimes are repeatedly happening in Sonari,” he said, calling for urgent corrective action.
Bravery of shop owner averts major heist
Jamshedpur: The robbery incident at Vardhman Jewelers on Wednesday at Dispensary Road in Christian Pada, Sonari, in broad daylight has created an atmosphere of fear among the business community in Jamshedpur.
However, the talking point is the bravery of the shopkeeper, due to which a big robbery was averted.
According to the CCTV footage, the miscreants entered the shop posing as customers and after a while took out pistols and tried to scare the shopkeeper. All the robbers had weapons in their hands. As soon as the shopkeeper realized the seriousness of the situation, he opposed the miscreants without fear.
However, due to the large number of miscreants, they overpowered him and made him sit on the bench.
But the shopkeeper did not give up and got up again and tried to catch the robbers. On this, the miscreants hit him on the head with the butt of the pistol and spread panic by firing in the air. The police have also found firing shells from the spot.
The robbers were able to loot only five gold chains, which makes it clear that if the shopkeeper had not shown so much courage, the loss could have been much bigger.
At present, the police is investigating the matter. CCTV footage is being sent to other districts and states so that the robbers can be identified. SSP Piyush Pandey has claimed that the criminals will be caught soon. Informers have been activated in the area.
Found vital clues, criminals will be arrested soon: City SP
Jamshedpur, Sep 3: Soon after the daylight robbery at Vardhman Jewellers in Sonari, senior police officers, including City SP Kumar Shivashish, reached the spot and launched an investigation.
The City SP confirmed that the police had found vital clues about the criminals and assured that they would be arrested soon. “Bullet shells and live cartridges have been recovered from the site. The culprits looted four to five gold chains before fleeing,” he said.
The entire incident had been captured on CCTV, which showed the armed miscreants assaulting the shop owner inside the store. The footage was now being closely examined by the police.
Meanwhile, panic has gripped the locality following the broad daylight crime. Residents have also raised serious concerns over security as the Anti-Corruption Bureau office is located just a short distance from the spot where the robbery occurred.
Robbers flee into Dalma forest, two bikes recovered
Jamshedpur: After robbing Vardhman Jewellery Shop in Sonari on Wednesday afternoon, the criminals fled towards Chandil and are suspected to be hiding in the dense Dalma forest. Acting on clues, police launched a massive search operation with the help of sniffer dogs.
During a joint operation by Sonari and Chandil police, two Pulsar bikes were recovered from a large pond in Kathjod village. The robbers reportedly drowned the bikes before escaping on foot into the forest.
The search is being led by City SP Kumar Shivashish. According to police sources, six robbers had entered Kathjod village on the bikes before abandoning them. Sniffer dogs traced their movement over a long distance, but the gang remains at large. Police believe they have obtained important leads and the hunt is continuing.
