Porvorim: Porvorim police swiftly cracked a high-value dacoity case within 24 hours, arresting five accused, including two women. The robbery was orchestrated by the victim couple’s neighbor.
In the early hours of March 17, five armed assailants broke open the door of a rented room at Marra, Pilerne, using an iron rod. They threatened the occupants, Pappu Biswas and his wife, at knifepoint, stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 15 lakh and Rs 9 lakh in cash, totaling Rs 24 lakh.
Police investigations revealed that Joycee D’Souza, the couple’s neighbor, planned the heist after learning about the valuables in the victims’ possession. Joycee conspired with Krishna Belgaonkar and Kalpana Barki. Krishna recruited additional accomplices, while Kalpana and Imran Shaikh arranged the getaway vehicle.
Post-crime, the loot was shared among the accused at a Calangute hotel.
Notably, Krishna Belgaonkar and Kalpana Barki have previous murder cases against them. Joycee also has a prior case registered at Porvorim police station.
Following the FIR, police identified the accused from CCTV footage and arrested Joycee alias Priya D’Souza (32), Kalpana Barki (37), Imran Shaikh (34), Subhash Kumar (27), and Dhiraj Gupta (20).
Police have recovered part of the stolen property, the weapon used for threat, the iron rod, and the vehicle involved. Efforts continue to recover remaining items and apprehend three more suspects.
