A brazen attempt to snatch a gold chain from a 70-year-old woman inside a residential lift in Greater Noida West has sent shockwaves through the community, marking the second such security scare in the area within a single week. The incident has ignited fierce criticism from residents over alleged negligence in security arrangements.
The Terrifying Ordeal Inside the Lift
The attack occurred around 5 pm on Thursday, January 8, at the La Residentia society in Greater Noida West, which falls under the Bisrakh police station. The victim, Bharti Jani, was returning from a walk with her granddaughter and entering the lift of Tower B1 in Block 15 when the accused followed her inside.
According to her son, Narendra Jani, the elderly woman initially mistook the helmet-wearing man for a delivery agent. "She thought he was a delivery agent, but instead he tried to snatch her chain. When she shouted for help, he panicked and ran away," he recounted. Family members stated that the assailant pushed Bharti Jani before making his escape.
Security Lapses and a Traumatized Victim
The purported CCTV footage from the incident, which has been widely discussed, shows a man in a helmet entering the lift and fleeing moments later. The victim's daughter-in-law, Gunjan, described the traumatic aftermath, saying, "She came back to the flat shivering in fear."
Residents have expressed outrage, pointing to serious security failures. They alleged that no security guard was present at the time and questioned how the intruder entered the society premises unchecked. This event comes just days after a motorcycle was stolen from the same society, compounding fears.
In a video that went viral on social media, residents accused the security and maintenance staff of inaction. "Despite complaints, no concrete action was taken. The maintenance head has been missing since the incident," they claimed in the video.
Police Investigation and Community Alarm
Assistant Commissioner of Police-2 for Central Noida, Diksha Singh, confirmed that police examined the CCTV footage and recorded the victim's statement on Friday, January 9. She provided a crucial update, stating, "After reviewing the CCTV footage, we have got a clue regarding the identity of the accused. He will be arrested soon."
The back-to-back incidents have plunged the La Residentia society into a state of anxiety, with residents demanding immediate and robust enhancements to security protocols. The case highlights growing concerns about safety in residential complexes in the expanding suburbs of the National Capital Region.
