Palghar: An intrepid jeweller in Kelve, Palghar district, foiled an armed robbery attempt by two men at his store on Thursday night with a bamboo stick. The robbers, of whom at least one was armed, fled the spot as he charged at them.
Police said around 7.30pm, Rupsingh Dasana, owner of Mamta Jeweller, was attending to five customers and a child when a man stood at the entrance of his store and tried to rob him. The robber was immediately joined by another man. The first man then brandished a gun, causing panic among the customers. Dasana grabbed a bamboo stick propped up next to him and charged at the two men. The robbers fired a round and fled. The bullet damaged the store’s glass window.
Palghar SP Balasaheb Patil said the men likely used a country-made gun. Datta Shelke, assistant inspector of Saphale police station, said they may have fired the shot to scare people off.
Both robbers were caught on the store’s CCTV camera. Neither was masked. Police said teams have fanned out, including at stations. They found some bamboo sticks and a pouch with stones near the store and are ascertaining if those belonged to the robbers.
—Vishal Rajemahadik