In a shocking incident of deception and theft, the Bicholim police have registered a case against two unidentified individuals for allegedly stealing a valuable mangalsutra from a woman by impersonating police officers. The brazen crime, which involved an elaborate ruse, has left the local community in Piligao alarmed.
The Deceptive Stop and Elaborate Ruse
The complaint was filed at the Bicholim police station by Mohini Naik, a resident of Piligao. According to her statement, the incident occurred while she was on her way to Gaonkarwada to catch a bus back to her home in Piligao. She was stopped by the accused duo, comprising a man and a woman, who presented themselves as police personnel.
Taking advantage of her trust, the fake cops led Naik to a secluded spot. There, they spun a convincing tale, advising her that there was increased movement of thieves in the area and that it was unsafe to wear gold ornaments openly. Pretending to be concerned for her safety, they instructed her to remove her mangalsutra so they could "secure" it for her.
The Switcheroo: Gold for a Stone
Naik, convinced by their authoritative act, complied and handed over her precious mangalsutra. The duo then performed an elaborate sleight of hand. They carefully wrapped an object in a piece of paper and handed the packet back to Naik, presumably to maintain the illusion of a legitimate security procedure.
It was only when Mohini Naik reached her home and opened the packet that the cruel truth was revealed. Instead of her gold mangalsutra, she found a mere stone wrapped inside the paper. The pair had switched the valuables during the packing process.
Police Investigation and Community Alert
Naik immediately reported the crime to the Bicholim police, stating that her stolen mangalsutra was worth approximately ₹6 lakh. The police have initiated an investigation based on her complaint and are searching for the unidentified man and woman involved.
This incident serves as a stark warning to the public, especially women, to be extremely cautious when approached by individuals claiming to be police officers without proper verification. Authorities advise citizens to always ask for official identification and, if in doubt, to proceed to the nearest police station or call the official police helpline before complying with any such requests.
The Bicholim police are likely reviewing CCTV footage from the area around Gaonkarwada and Piligao to identify the culprits. The audacity of the crime, involving impersonation of law enforcement, has added a serious dimension to the theft case.
