Thieves go partying on the job

Unknown people broke into seven offices in a building at Masjid Bunder on Tuesday night and decamped with cash and valuables worth lakhs of rupees.

Interestingly, the culprits are also believed to have partied after committing the thefts as cigarette buds and empty bottles of soft drinks were found inside some offices.

According to the police, the incident took place at Veena Chambers at 4th Clive Cross Lane near Masjid Bunder railway station. The thieves broke into four offices on the first floor and three on the second floor. Some of the affected offices were that of Chinai Machines Private Limited, Lalji Hirji & Company, Girish Roadways, Katariya International and a women’s organisation.

Mahendra Bhanushali, one of the victims and owner of Lalji Hirji & Company, said that he learnt about the theft around 10am on Wednesday while opening the office.

“The thieves had snuck in by breaking the locks of grilled doors and stole cash and valuables believed to be worth lakhs. They managed to steal only from four offices, as no valuables were available in the others,” he said.

He added: “Cigarette buds and empty soft drink bottles, meant for the office staff, were found inside the offices. Experts have taken fingerprints from these objects,” Bhanushali said.

Another victim, Mohammad Ayub, said that the building’s watchman was present at the time of the incident. “He said he saw no one entering at night. This makes us believe that the culprits crossed railway tracks close to the building and entered the building. They must have used the same route to leave after committing the theft,” Ayub said.

“We are investigating the case from all possible angles and are taking all possible measures to nab the culprits,” said sub-inspector Uttam Tapal of the Pydhonie police station.