Panaji: Acting on intelligence inputs from Kerala Police, the Crime Branch of Goa Police traced and apprehended a habitual offender wanted in connection with a gold jewellery fraud case registered in Kerala.
Police said the case was registered at the Bekal police station in Kasaragod district on May 27.
The accused allegedly entered a jewellery shop, selected gold ornaments including rings and a necklace, and presented a fake online payment confirmation to the shop owner.
Based on intelligence shared by Kerala Police indicating that the accused frequently travelled to Goa after committing similar offences, the Crime Branch launched a special search operation under the police inspector Dattaguru Sawant.
Investigators gathered further intelligence suggesting that the accused regularly visited casinos and attended party events after carrying out such crimes. Police subsequently alerted casino managements and party venue operators across Goa and intensified surveillance.
Following extensive searches in Panaji and Calangute, police received information on May 30 regarding the suspect’s presence at a party venue in Calangute. A team rushed to the location and apprehended the accused after confirming his identity.
The Kerala Police team, which was already in Goa, recovered the stolen gold ornaments from the accused and subsequently took him into custody.
An IPS officer from Kerala Police, who was personally supervising the investigation, commended Goa Police for their prompt action, professionalism and coordination in apprehending the accused and recovering the stolen property.
The operation was supervised by Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rahul Gupta.
The team included Assistant Sub-Inspector Dinesh Pikulkar, head constable Sandeep Madkaikar and personnel from Calangute Police Station, including head constables Vidyanand Amonkar, Ganpat Tiloji and Amir Garad.
