Residents of two upscale localities in Lucknow were left shaken after burglars targeted their homes in the dead of night on Monday, making off with valuables and cash amounting to over Rs 25 lakh. The incidents, reported from the PGI area and Jankipuram, have prompted increased police scrutiny.
PGI Area Theft: Family Locked Inside Bedroom
In a brazen operation under the jurisdiction of the PGI police station, thieves entered a house located in Utratiya Bazaar. The family was fast asleep when the criminals struck. In a calculated move, the burglars locked the bedroom doors from the outside, effectively trapping the occupants inside their own room.
With the family confined, the intruders proceeded to break open a locker in another part of the house. The victims only discovered the violation on Tuesday morning when they woke up and found themselves unable to exit their bedroom. They had to call a neighbour on the phone to raise the alarm and get the doors opened.
Upon inspection, they found the locker ransacked. The police, who registered the case on Wednesday, confirmed that jewellery worth approximately Rs 4 lakh and Rs 70,000 in cash were stolen from the premises.
Jankipuram Heist: Bank Manager's House Targeted
In a concurrent incident, a bank manager's residence in Sita Vihar Colony, Jankipuram, fell victim to a sophisticated burglary. The total loss from this theft was significantly higher, estimated at around Rs 21.5 lakh.
Police investigation revealed a curious detail: the main gate of the house was found intact, suggesting the burglars may have used another entry point. However, inside the home, a scene of disarray awaited. Several cupboards and internal room locks had been forcibly smashed open.
The stolen items included Rs 1.5 lakh in cash and a substantial quantity of gold and silver ornaments, whose value is pegged at nearly Rs 20 lakh.
Police Investigation and Public Advisory
Local police authorities are actively investigating both cases. The modus operandi in the PGI incident, where the family was locked in, points to a bold and premeditated approach by the thieves. The Jankipuram case, with its untouched main gate, indicates a possible familiarity with the property's layout.
These back-to-back incidents in the state capital have raised concerns about night-time security in residential areas. The police have likely increased patrols and are advising residents to:
- Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked at night.
- Consider installing robust security alarms and CCTV cameras.
- Avoid keeping large amounts of cash and high-value jewellery at home.
- Inform neighbours or local police when leaving town for extended periods.
No arrests have been made so far, and investigations into both thefts are ongoing.
