A daring overnight burglary has sent shockwaves through the bustling mobile market in Chandigarh's Sector 22. In the early hours of Thursday, a masked thief executed a series of break-ins, targeting seven shops on the same floor and making off with a substantial haul of cash and mobile phones.
Scene of Chaos and Stolen Goods
Chaos and disbelief greeted shopkeepers when they arrived to open their establishments around 10 am. They were met with broken shutters, smashed glass, and ransacked interiors. The thief's primary target was SG Mobile Telecom, where he allegedly seized nearly Rs 10 lakh in cash. Not stopping there, he proceeded to raid six adjoining shops, focusing on stealing high-end smartphones.
Police Investigation and CCTV Evidence
Sonu Gupta, the owner of SG Mobile Telecom, was the first to discover the theft. He immediately alerted the police control room. Swiftly, teams from the Sector-22 police post, Crime Branch, and forensic experts converged on the market to gather evidence.
Investigators, piecing together the events, believe the entire operation was the work of a single individual. A significant breakthrough came from CCTV footage, which clearly captured the suspect's movements throughout the market. This visual evidence is now a vital lead for the police in their efforts to identify and apprehend the culprit.
Traders Outraged, Security Questions Raised
The incident has sparked significant anger and concern among the local trading community. Traders pointed out that the market area is supposed to be under constant police patrolling during the night. The brazen nature of the heist, striking at the heart of a busy commercial hub, has left them questioning the effectiveness of these security measures.
"If this can happen here, what does that say about security?" a distressed shopkeeper questioned, echoing the sentiment of many. The police have registered a case based on the complaints and have assured the traders of swift action to nab the person responsible.
The Chandigarh police are now deeply analyzing the CCTV footage and following other investigative avenues to track down the masked thief who managed to disrupt the sense of safety in one of the city's prominent markets.
