In a swift police action, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Lucknow for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth approximately Rs 10 lakh from a store. The accused, identified as Sumit Mishra, reportedly resorted to the crime to recover from significant financial setbacks incurred through online gambling.
The Daring Daylight Heist
The incident occurred on Sunday at a jewellery shop located in the Jankipuram area of Lucknow. According to the police, Sumit Mishra, a resident of Kamlaabad Barouli in Jankipuram, had conducted a prior reconnaissance of the locality. Posing as a genuine customer during business hours, he arrived at the shop on a motorcycle.
He engaged the shopkeeper, asking to see various gold ring designs. After examining a few and expressing dissatisfaction, he requested more options. The moment the shopkeeper turned his back to fetch additional stock, Mishra seized the opportunity. He grabbed two display boxes from the counter, containing a total of 21 gold rings, and fled the scene on his vehicle.
Swift Investigation and Arrest
The entire theft, which unfolded in mere seconds, was captured clearly by the shop's closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. The footage provided crucial leads to the investigating team from Jankipuram police station.
Acting on the visual evidence and local intelligence inputs, the police tracked down the accused. Sumit Mishra was arrested on Monday morning from the Tiwaripuram-Kotwa road. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime. Police revealed that Mishra works for a private firm and had recently suffered substantial losses in online gambling. He admitted to stealing the jewellery to sustain his lifestyle and recoup his losses.
Recovery and Recognition
Following his arrest, the police conducted a search and recovered 19 of the stolen gold rings along with Rs 20,000 in cash from his possession. Investigators stated that Mishra had attempted to sell the remaining two rings but did not receive a satisfactory offer, leading him to wait for a better deal.
The prompt action by the police was commended by local business groups. Members of the Janhit Udyog Vyapar Mandal, led by its state president KK Awasthi, felicitated Inspector Vinod Tiwari of Jankipuram police station for the quick resolution of the case.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of gambling addiction, which can push individuals towards criminal activities. The Lucknow police have successfully solved the case, returning most of the stolen property to its rightful owner.
