Goat Thieves Flee, Abandon SUV After Villagers Foil Holi-Era Heist in Bihar
In a bizarre and dramatic incident, a group of thieves were forced to abandon their expensive SUV and flee empty-handed after a failed attempt to steal goats from a village in Bihar's Sheohar district. The incident, which unfolded late on Saturday night in Rejma village under the Town police station area, highlights a concerning trend of livestock theft using vehicles in the region.
Festive Timing and Village Celebration
Police suspect the theft was planned ahead of the Holi festival, a time when demand for livestock often increases. The audacious crime took place while the entire village was immersed in celebration due to a wedding ceremony. The noise from a DJ and dhol provided cover for the thieves' initial movements.
"A wedding ceremony was underway in the village," recounted cattle owner Deepak Pandey. "The entire village was immersed in celebration amid the noise. Taking advantage of the gathering, 3-4 thieves entered in an SUV, broke a house gate, and forcibly loaded goats into the vehicle."
Villager Alert and Chaotic Chase
The plan began to unravel when the noise made by the distressed cattle alerted villagers. Raising an immediate alarm, locals gave chase to the fleeing SUV. In their panic to escape, the thieves lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and became firmly stuck in a muddy pit near Rejma village.
With their wheels hopelessly trapped and angry villagers closing in, the criminals made a desperate decision. They abandoned both the expensive vehicle and their stolen livestock, fleeing into the night under the cover of darkness.
Police Investigation and Recovery
Following the alert, teams from the Town police station and Dial 112 emergency service quickly reached the village. Town SHO Randhir Kumar Singh took possession of the SUV loaded with cattle and initiated a thorough investigation.
"A case was registered against 4-5 people, including the vehicle owner and driver," stated SHO Singh. "Incidents of livestock theft using SUVs have increased in recent days. Therefore, villagers should also remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police."
The victims were later called to the police station to identify their livestock, after which the recovered goats were properly handed over to their rightful owners. Police are now working to identify the accused using the vehicle's registration number and other evidence collected from the scene.
Night of Confusion and Recovery
Pandey described the confusion that continued into the night: "Around 1am, thieves untied and took away the goat. When we woke in the morning, the goat was not there. Upon searching, we found out it was at the police station. During the theft, when villagers raised a commotion, the thieves fled, leaving behind both the goat and vehicle."
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the innovative methods criminals are employing for livestock theft in rural areas, particularly around festive seasons when demand peaks. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of community vigilance and prompt police response in thwarting such crimes.
