Porvorim: Mandrem police have finally cracked down the series of temple theft cases with the arrest of a habitual offender from Oros in the neighboring Sindhudurg district.
Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal said that Mandrem Police have arrested Vinod Patekar from Oros in the neighboring Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra for breaking into several temples.
Kaushal said that an unknown accused person had effected entry into the sanctum sanctorum of Shree Hanuman Temple, Mandrem on August 7 and broke open the lock of the donation box and decamped with cash of Rs 10,000 and gold ornament from the Idol worth Rs 20,000.
He said that before this incident too, another theft was reported in the area in which the accused had committed theft at Ajoba Temple, Keri. Kaushal said that the accused was zeroed in after analyzing the CCTV footage around the temple.
The SP said that after thorough analysis of CCTV footage and technical surveillance the police team finally managed to apprehend the accused person and recovered Gold jewellery and cash of Rs.3958/- including Notes and Coins.
He said that the accused has confessed of committing the crime. Kaushal said that he was earlier involved in a rape case.
During the course of investigation, team under the supervision of SDPO Pernem Jivba Dalvi, PI Sherif J. Jaques of Mandrem Police Station and PSI, Kunal Naik, PC-6158, Saeesh Pokle, PC-6886, Vijay Gaikwad & PC-7913, Yogesh Shinde was formed.
Further investigation is in progress under the supervision of SP North Akshat Kaushal, SDPO Pernem Jivba Dalvi and PI Mandrem Sheriff Jacques.
