The crime is said to have occurred between 10 pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday. In his complaint to Agassaim police station, Fr Albano Fernandes alleged that the burglars entered the premises by unlocking the window and breaking four donation boxes that contained cash.
Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi said they have examined the CCTV footage and interrogated the security guard, who was on night duty on Monday. “We have got clues through CCTV records. The culprits will be caught soon,” he said. The investigation also revolves around the movement of the on-duty security guards.
A case under Section 457 and 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against unknown person(s).
On July 24, 2014, 12 gold chains and two gold rings worth Rs 8 lakh, as well as cash estimated at Rs 60,000, were stolen in spite of the shrine having security guards. Though the shrine had two CCTV cameras, they could only capture a hooded figure carrying the money boxes from the place next to the statue of Our Lady.
The police are studying the modus operandi comparing the two cases. It is learnt the burglary was planned after conducting a recce of the site and the working hours.
Interestingly, the police department had recently instructed all police stations to step up security measures considering increasing number of thefts during the monsoon. The state has already witnessed a couple of theft cases.
Meanwhile, Panjim police on Wednesday conducted a meeting of all the security guards posted at ATM centres asking them to take safety precautions especially during the night shift.
