Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 19: A retired bank employee who was walking by the side of the road at Kaikamba near BC Road here was stopped by a man who claimed himself to be a crime branch policeman. The self-claimed policeman also warned the pedestrian about the dangers posed by thieves. The bank employee only realized later that the intruder had conned him and got away with gold ornaments.

This incident happened at Kaikamba, BC Road, on Saturday, January 18. The person who was taken for a ride by the 'policemen' was Shivaram Prasad Sharma, a resident of Mittabail Kodange near Kaikamba.

Sharma was walking from his home towards a salon at Kaikamba by foot when a motorbike-borne man stopped him. He introduced himself as Ashok and said he belonged to crime branch police. He said that Sharma invited danger by wearing gold on his body openly. He asked the former banker to safe-keep his gold ornaments by putting them together in a kerchief and properly tying them together and keeping in his pocket.

The intruder collected golden chain Sharma wore around his neck and a ring with the stated purpose of helping him to safely keep the ornaments inside. After collecting them, he tied the ornaments and cellphone of Sharma tightly in a kerchief. After handing over this bundle in Sharma's hand, he went away in his motorbike. Sharma opened the kerchief and realized that he was cheated. He informed the town police station here. The police, who have registered a case, are searching for the thief.

The value of ornaments Sharma lost in this incident has been estimated at Rs 1.04 lac. Deputy superintendent of police, Valentine D'Souza, circle inspector, T D Nagaraj, sub-inspector, Avinash and other staff visited the spot and continued with their probe.