Unabated crime challenges cops

Vijayawada: The city cops seem to be on tenterhooks as dacoits and thieves have been on the prowl in the capital city. After robbing a goldsmith of gold, cash and cell phones, they managed to give a slip to the cops of both Vijayawada and Guntur three weeks ago.

Even as the police are busy finding the role of dacoit gangs from other states in the sensational dacoity, a series of thefts in locked houses rattled the local people. The police could not make much headway even in resolving petty cases.

The thieves broke open three locked houses and walked away with gold, cash at two different places under the jurisdiction of Two Town police station here four days ago. They entered G Sitamahalakshmi’s house and stole three tola gold ‘Nanutadu’ at KL Rao Nagar.

At Railway Quarters, they burgled houses of O Sivanageswara Rao and Johnson. While the former complained to the police that thieves took away Rs 15,000 in cash, Johnson reported Rs 5,000 missing from his house. The victims had lodged complaints with the police. Some other house owners who also noticed their houses burgled did not report to the police as the money and valuables were not huge.

Incidents of thefts also reported from Santinagar, Ramakrishnapuram and Subbarajunagar. A theft in Tammina Durgaraonagar two days ago also caused fear among people in the respective area. In Ramkrishnanagar theft took place in Sri Saidurga Medical and Fancy Store.

The thieves entered into the shop by breaking open doors. They took away Rs 10,000 in cash and other documents. In Santinagar, house owner Karimulla locked the house on July 18 and left for his relatives’ place. When he returned on July 20, he was shocked to see unlocked house. Three tolas of ‘Nallapusalsa’ chain and other items reportedly burgled. A flat in Tadigadapa was also burgled when house owners were away.

Reacting on the thefts, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanti Rana Tata opined that the thefts might be the handiwork of criminals who were released on bail. He suspected that they had been indulging in housebreaking and other crimes. He was confident that they would take into custody the suspects and question them.

According to reports, five persons were already picked up for questioning.Regarding the dacoity near Besant Road, the police have been suspecting role of gangs from neighbouring States. Special teams formed to nab the dacoits are still on the job and the officials are tight-lipped on the particulars of probe.

Meanwhile, the city police have intensified patrolling and search operations to nab the culprits who resorted to house breaking incidents. They conducted cordon search in New Rajarajeswaripet near Ajith Singh Nagar on Sunday morning.

Joint Commissioner of Police DV Ramana Kumar said the other day police identified important clues and will nab the culprits. He said local petty offenders have taken away cash and other valuables by breaking open shops and houses in different parts of the city, particularly on the outskirts of the city.

By Noor Shaik