In a swift 24-hour operation, Porvorim police have solved a dacoity case involving the theft of gold and cash worth Rs 24 lakh, arresting five accused, including two women. The plan, police said, was orchestrated by the victims’ neighbor, Joycee D’Souza.
The crime took place in the early hours of March 17, when five armed intruders broke into a rented room in Marra, Pilerne, using an iron rod. They held residents Pappu Biswas and his wife at knifepoint and looted Rs 15 lakh in gold ornaments and Rs 9 lakh in cash.
Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta stated that CCTV footage and swift coordination among teams led to the arrests of:
Joycee alias Priya D’Souza (32) from Marra,
Kalpana Barki (37) from Bastora,
Imran Shaikh (34) from Pune, residing in Bastora,
Subhash Kumar (27) from Uttar Pradesh, based in Colvale, and
Dhiraj Gupta (20) also from Colvale.
Joycee, a neighbor of the victims, had learned of their wealth and conspired with her acquaintances. Krishna Belgaonkar, previously booked for murder in 2018, helped assemble the robbery team. Kalpana Barki, who was also involved in a past murder case, assisted in arranging transport along with Imran.
After the crime, the stolen valuables were distributed among the accused at a hotel in Calangute.
Police have partially recovered the loot, including the weapon and vehicle used. Search operations are ongoing for three more suspects, as efforts continue to fully recover the stolen items.
