Goa police apprehended an Iranian national on Monday for his suspected role in a series of jewelry store thefts in Goa. Investigations indicate that these recent thefts were carried out by a cross-state Iranian gang.
Panaji police are currently probing two separate cases of jewelry store thefts. Akshat Kaushal, Superintendent of Police for North Goa, mentioned that the Panaji town police have successfully solved both cases.
“In both incidents, two unknown individuals entered the shops posing as customers interested in buying gold and diamond jewelry. They stole two gold chains and two diamond necklaces collectively valued at Rs 12 lakh,” Kaushal explained. He added that during the investigation of both cases, information was gathered from various sources indicating possible involvement of members of an interstate Iranian gang, including Abrar Beg, who are currently believed to be in Kudachi-Raibag, Belgaum, Karnataka.
Based on gathered intelligence, a joint operation involving Panaji town police and Kudachi police was conducted overnight in Kudachi. They successfully located and apprehended the prime suspect, 30-year-old Abrar Beg, a resident of Belgaum, Karnataka, stated Kaushal. The SP of North Goa further mentioned that during interrogation, Beg admitted to his involvement in the thefts at Vailankanni Jewellers and PNG Jewellers, along with accomplices.
The theft case at Vailankanni Jewellers in Panaji was registered by the Panaji police on January 12, after unidentified individuals stole gold ornaments. On June 24, a complaint was lodged by Yogesh Bhide, branch manager of PNG Jewellers in Panaji, reporting a theft of gold necklaces worth Rs 2.3 lakh. According to the manager, two individuals entered the store as customers around 1 pm, engaged the staff in conversation, and took advantage of the distraction to steal the necklaces.
Police have recovered one gold and diamond necklace featuring a floral design, as well as another gold and diamond necklace valued at Rs 8 lakh. “The main suspect has been arrested,” confirmed Kaushal.
