Bhubaneswar, Aug 1: Odisha witnessed two major robbery incidents, raising serious concerns over public safety and police preparedness. In Bhubaneswar, miscreants targeted the residence of prominent builder, looting valuables worth over ₹1.5 crore, while a daylight robbery was reported in Paralakhemundi.
In Bhubaneswar, miscreants targeted the residence of prominent builder. The burglars decamped with gold ornaments, ₹5 lakh in cash, luxury watches, and a diamond-studded bracelet. In a calculated move to erase evidence, they also removed the CCTV hard disk installed in the house, leaving investigators with limited leads.
The incident reportedly occurred between 10 pm and 11 pm. Laxmisagar police rushed to the spot, deploying sniffer dogs and scanning nearby CCTV footage to trace the culprits.
Temple Loot in Balipatna and Rising Thefts in Kalinga Vihar Ignite Public Outrage
Despite regular patrolling by Commissionerate Police, the scale of the loot has shocked residents, who expressed concern over rising crime in the capital. Authorities admitted that identifying the culprits without the primary CCTV evidence poses a major challenge.
Meanwhile, in Paralakhemundi town of Gajapati district, a daylight robbery unfolded outside the State Bank of India's main branch. M. Surya Rao of Sailada village had withdrawn ₹5 lakh for household purposes.
As he stepped out, a gang of four cleverly distracted him by scattering loose change on the road. While Rao bent down to collect the coins, the gang snatched his cash-filled bag from his vehicle and fled.
Rao immediately lodged a complaint at Paralakhemundi police station. Based on his statement, police registered a case and began investigations. CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas helped identify one of the accused, though others remain at large. Preliminary inquiries suggest the gang has been involved in multiple robberies in the region.