Incident occurred a stone's throw from police post

In a shocking incident, seven shops in New Panvel were broke open on Tuesday late night. The thieves looted the shops Shiv Shakti Super Market, Urvashi Clothing, Om Surgical and Medical, SK Stationary, Reshma Medical and Kerala Chips located at Shiva Complex in sector 19, of cash and valuables worth Rs 4000, police said.

The surprising fact of the theft is that the complex wherein the theft happened was located just beside the police post. There was only one official who was on duty at the police outpost when the incident occurred due to which he could not go for patrolling in the area.

The official assigned for patrolling in New Panvel completed the rounds in his area and then went to Panvel for patrolling, when the incident happened. The theft has lead to a big question mark for the cops since it occurred in the area which is near to the police outpost.

"It seems that the robbers were not professional thieves since the amount they robbed from each shop was very less. Four pair of clothes was stolen from Urvashi Clothing shop. We got finger prints from Om Surgical and Medical Shop and investigations are on," an official from Panvel City Police Station said. A case has been registered under section 379 of the IPC.

"The robbery cases are on rise in Panvel area despite increase in patrolling," said a resident not wishing to be named.

Raina Assainar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication