Puri: Astranga Police has cracked the sensational mobile shop burglary case reported in Puri district last month with the arrest of three persons and recovery of 40 stolen mobile handsets and Rs 1.80 lakh in cash.
The burglary took place at Mohanty Communication, a mobile phone shop located at Astranga Bazaar.
According to police, shop owner Rajesh Kumar Mohanty had closed his shop around 9:30 pm on August 17 and returned home. The next morning, he found the shutter broken open and the shop ransacked.
In his complaint, Mohanty alleged that mobile phones worth approximately Rs 1 crore and cash of around Rs 1.5 lakh were stolen from the shop.
Acting on the complaint, Astranga Police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.
Considering the high value of the stolen property, Puri SP constituted a special squad to crack the case. The team analysed CCTV footage, mounted technical surveillance, deployed sources and interrogated suspects. Following leads, the investigation led the squad to Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh.
Police identified two residents of Kisan Basti under Jhinjhana Police Station in Shamli — 54-year-old Jisan and 35-year-old Shaukeen — as alleged members of the burglary gang.
According to investigators, Jisan’s son Parvez, who is reportedly engaged in ferrying passengers in the Kakatpur-Astranga area, had allegedly provided information about vulnerable shops.
Police said Parvez had tipped off his father about the newly opened mobile shop in Astranga Bazaar. Following this, Jisan and Shaukeen allegedly came to the area and planned the burglary. On the night of August 17, the accused allegedly reached the shop on a motorcycle.
Police said Parvez broke open the shutter lock using a small crowbar and entered the shop, while the others assisted in the operation. The stolen mobile phones were then taken towards the Kakatpur area and later transported to Uttar Pradesh, where they were allegedly sold to Abdul Qadir, a resident of Kandhla area in Shamli district.
Police have arrested Jisan, Shaukeen and Abdul Qadir, who has been identified as the alleged receiver of the stolen property. From their possession, police have seized 40 mobile handsets, Rs 1.80 lakh in cash and two small crowbars allegedly used in the crime.
Meanwhile, Parvez is absconding and efforts are on to nab him and recover the remaining stolen property.
The case assumes significance as the accused allegedly crossed state borders after committing the crime.
Police said the breakthrough was achieved through coordinated CCTV analysis, technical surveillance and sustained field investigation.
