Theft Case / Child's 112 Call Leads to Arrest of Four Thieves in Odisha's Puri; Two Vehicles Recovered

Puri, Aug 31: A child’s presence of mind helped police get a breakthrough in a goat theft case, leading to the arrest of four alleged goat thieves and the recovery of nine goats and two vehicles used in the crime, a source said on Monday.

According to the source, residents of Nimapara, Gop, Chari Chhak and Konark areas of Puri district had been increasingly concerned over a series of goat thefts.

Late on Friday night, locals suspected that a gang was fleeing after stealing goats. During the incident, a child noticed some people behaving suspiciously while transporting goats. The child immediately alerted the police by calling the emergency number 112.

Acting on the information, police launched an immediate search operation and began checking suspicious vehicles in Gop and Chari Chhak areas.

Also Read: Buried Gold And A Sound Box: Here's How Balangir Police Cracked Rs 3 Crore Theft Case

Police subsequently gathered information about the movements of the suspected gang and intercepted them. Four accused persons were taken into custody.

Two vehicles allegedly used in the thefts were seized, while nine goats were recovered from their possession. Police have initiated the process of identifying the goats and handing them over to their rightful owners.

Meanwhile, Additional Superintendent of Police Soumya Ranjan Mallik, addressing a press conference on the directions of the Puri Superintendent of Police, said the accused allegedly used to steal goats from the areas and supply them to a mutton trader named Muna Khan in the Khandagiri area of Bhubaneswar.

Police are also working to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the goat theft racket.