PANJIM: The broad daylight murder of a jeweller at Margao was cracked in record time with Crime Branch swooping down on two accused during the intervening hours of Wednesday-Thursday.
Omkar Patil’s detention led the CB team to the second suspect Edson Gonsalves, both of whom were eventually handed over to the Margao police for arrest formalities and further investigation.
Sources told Herald that Mustafa Sheikh was the first on the radar of Goa police but it was Patil who fell in the trap. Sheikh finally surrendered before the Margao police hours after the two arrests.
Under pressure to nab the culprits, the police brass roped in CB and teams were formed to crackdown on the criminals, all of whom were captured on a CCTV camera while committing the brutal murder.
“We were given a tip-off about Sheikh and Patil. They are burglars who usually target houses and jewellery shops. We swung into action and caught hold of Patil,” the source revealed.
The teams were tasked with scanning all the suspected hideouts. Patil was picked up from around the State capital before midnight, Gonsalves was nabbed thereafter.
“We searched for Patil at different locations at Miramar, Dona Paula and other areas. He was finally caught at St Cruz. We detained Patil and began questioning him in the car while we were still on the move looking out for other accused. He later confessed to his role in the murder,” the source said. Reportedly, the accused also confessed that a group of 4 to 5, including him, was involved in the killing of Swapnil Walke.
His confession also led to solving another case – theft of a four-wheeler at Dona Paula. Incidentally, the stolen Bolero jeep was found near the crime scene at Margao. The vehicle has been attached and forensic team put on the job.
It is reliably learnt that Patil is involved in another theft case at Anjuna for which he was arrested but managed to escape from the custody of Anjuna police in 2014.
Meanwhile, as search for Sheikh continued, the CB team zeroed-in on Gonsalves who was also detained. They were brought to Panjim police station. The entire operation ended post 4.30am on Thursday with the handing over of the two accused to Margao police. Sheikh, meanwhile, surrendered before the Margao police in the afternoon. Among the two absconders is Evender Rodrigues, hailing from Alto St Cruz, who the police is looking out for.
