Thieves' new modus operandi... freak mishap (Herald)

Looks like a serious concern for Vasco! FN

THIEVES STRIKE RICH WITH NEW MODUS OPERANDI

Herald Correspondent [Herald, Dec 28, 2005]

MORMUGAO, Dec 27 -- The next time someone informs you that your money has fallen down, be aware.

Cash and gold ornaments worth over Rs 1 lakh were stolen in three separate incidents in the port town within a span of an hour.

According to Vasco police, one NEtaji Rao along with his boss Mahendra Kumar Patwarai had gone to the Vasco post office, when a person approached Netaji and told him that some cash had fallen down.

When Netaji bent to pick the cash, the person ran away with a bag containing Rs 60,000 in cash.

In the second incident, one Vasant M Chauhan of Chicalim stated that he along with his brother went to a bank at about 10 am, when a person with a similar modus operandi took away a bag from the van containing Rs 40,000 in cash.

The bag was later found at Kharewada, with all the cash and some documents of the vehicle missing.

In the third case, Verma Dabholkar of SIolim stated that a gold bracelet and cash, all worth Rs 5000 were stolen from her car in the market in a similar fashion.

One person has been arrested in this connection and further investigations are in progress.

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ONE DIES IN FREAK MISHAP

Herald Correspondent. Herald, Dec 28, 2005

MORMUGAO, DEC 27: A 34-year-old man from Odxel-Taleigao made a fatal mistake by choosing an unusual spot for his afternoon siesta -- behind a bus.

According to Vasco police, Hirappa Kotbagi had gone to the Dabolim airport, when he decided to sleep behind a bus (GA01 Z9399) at about 1.30 pm.

The bus driver failed to notice Hirappa and reversed the bus, crushing Hirappa to death. Further investigations are on.