A daylight theft at a jewellery store in the bustling Panagarh Market area of West Bardhaman district has caused concern among local traders. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Kanksa police station on Friday around 4 pm, when two unidentified youths slipped into the open shop and made off with a smartphone kept inside the counter. The victim, jeweller Subir Paul, lodged a formal written complaint with the Kanksa police after reviewing surveillance footage that recorded the entire act.
Owner Stepped Away for a Few Minutes
The shop was open and operating as usual on Friday evening when Subir Paul stepped outside the premises for a couple of minutes. Taking advantage of the unattended counter, two unidentified youths walked inside the shop. Spotting the mobile phone kept inside the counter area, they quickly grabbed the device and fled before the owner could return.
Security Cameras Caught the Act
Upon returning to the shop, Subir Paul noticed that his phone was missing from the counter. Sensing foul play, he immediately checked the shop's security camera footage. The recording clearly captured two individuals entering the store, taking the device from the counter, and leaving the scene. Armed with this visual evidence, the jeweller approached Kanksa police station to file an official complaint.
Local Traders Concerned Over Market Security
The brazen theft in a crowded market during broad daylight has triggered anxiety among neighbouring shopkeepers in Panagarh Market. Business owners have voiced concerns over the current security arrangements and called for greater vigilance in commercial zones. The Kanksa police confirmed that an investigation is underway, with officers using the footage to identify the suspects and recover the stolen device.
Earlier Daylight Break-In Reported in Benachity
The region has seen similar property crimes recently. On September 16, a burglary occurred at a residence in the Nivedita Place area of Benachity in Durgapur. In that investigation, police arrested two suspects from Kolkata. According to the affected family, the house was left unattended during the afternoon. When family members returned, they found the front door locked from outside while the back door stood open. Inside, rooms were ransacked, an almirah lock had been broken, and gold and silver jewellery along with important documents were missing.
