Goa Police have arrested two suspects following a series of house thefts in North Goa over the past few months. The arrests were made after an extensive investigation led by the Porvorim police station, which collaborated with multiple police teams across Panaji and other jurisdictions.
The accused, 44-year-old Mario Santana Baptista from Benaulim and 20-year-old Mohammad Sufiyan from Navelim, were apprehended after a careful review of CCTV footage linked them to the burglaries.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshat Kaushal stated that the investigation had been thorough, with officers meticulously analyzing crime scenes and gathering evidence to uncover the gang’s operations. Kaushal revealed that initial interrogations had exposed a troubling pattern of burglaries in several locations, including Nagalli Hills, Bambolim, areas near Mapusa police station, and Siolim.
“The modus operandi of the organised gang was sophisticated,” Kaushal explained. “They rented a vehicle on a monthly basis, using it to travel to their targeted locations for the thefts. After committing the crimes, they would return the vehicle to avoid detection. The stolen goods were then sold to various receivers, whose identities we are actively investigating.”
SP Kaushal expressed optimism that the arrests would help put an end to the ongoing burglaries in North Goa. “With the arrests and ongoing investigation, we are hopeful of dismantling the entire operation,” he added.
