Lokesh Sutar (31), a native of Sangli, Maharashtra, has been arrested by the Old Goa Police in connection with a burglary at the residence of Kusum Chauhan in Santa Cruz. Sutar is a habitual offender involved in 25 house-breaking and theft cases across Maharashtra and Goa, including three in Old Goa, for which he has already been chargesheeted.
Sutar was apprehended in Kottalgi, Karnataka, where he had been hiding from law enforcement. He has been remanded to 10 days of police custody by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Merces.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Investigations revealed that Sutar had purchased a car using stolen money, which has now been recovered. Stolen gold ornaments had been sold to a local goldsmith and are also set to be recovered, SP North Harishchandra Madkaikar said.
The offence took place on November 14, when the accused allegedly broke into Chauhan’s house at Ubo Dando, Santa Cruz, in broad daylight. He stole gold and silver jewellery along with cash, collectively valued at approximately Rs 25 lakh, while the complainant had stepped out to pick up her son from a nearby school.
Old Goa Police registered a case under Sections 331(1), 331(3) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Authorities are also working to identify the accused’s wider criminal network. PSI Sanket Pokhare is conducting the further investigation under the supervision of Old Goa PI Gauresh Malik.
