Gajapati: Police on Sunday arrested two men in connection with multiple burglaries in Paralakhemundi town, recovering gold, silver, cash, and foreign currency.
The accused have been identified as Durga Prasad Benia (28), an Electrical Meter Reader with TPSODL, and Deba Mandal (35), both residents of Kandra Street in Paralakhemundi.
According to Gajapati Superintendent of Police Jatindra Kumar Panda, the investigation began after a burglary was reported on December 13, 2025, at the house of senior journalist Dwijendra Nath Padhy. Another burglary took place on December 27 at a jewellery shop in the town. The similarity in the modus operandi prompted the police to form a special investigation team comprising officers from Paralakhemundi and Gurandi Police Stations.
“Using technological tools and field intelligence, we traced the incidents to a total of four burglaries. The accused were arrested, and during the operation, foreign currency, including US dollars and Sri Lankan Rupees, was recovered,” SP Panda said.
The mastermind, Durga Prasad Benia, misused his door-to-door access as an electrical meter reader to identify houses and shops that were locked. Together with Deba Mandal, he carried out the burglaries.
Investigation revealed that most of the stolen gold ornaments had been mortgaged at gold finance banks for cash. However, some institutions did not follow proper customer verification procedures.
Police recovered 10 tolas of gold, including 2 tolas from Muthoot Fincorp Gold Bank, along with cash amounting to Rs 33,000. Additionally, 9 kg of silver, valued at approximately Rs 25 lakh, was seized.
The police also recovered two mobile phones and two two-wheelers, comprising one motorcycle and one scooter. Among the items recovered were house-breaking tools, including a hand screwdriver and a crowbar, used by the accused during the burglaries.
The remaining 2 tolas of gold, mortgaged with Indian Overseas Bank, Paralakhemundi, will be retrieved soon.
SP Panda urged residents to remain vigilant and adopt neighbourhood watch practices, especially during prolonged absences.
