Parked cars targeted in Bhubaneswar, windows smashed and valuables looted

A group of unidentified miscreants allegedly broke into a car and looted valuables in the heart of Bhubaneswar. The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Kharvela Nagar when a couple had parked their vehicle to attend Ganesh Puja celebrations.

According to the complaint, the gang smashed the car’s window and decamped with a laptop, gold jewellery, and cash kept inside. The couple, upon returning, found the glass shattered and their belongings missing. A case has been registered at the local police station, and teams have been deployed to trace the culprits.

Glass-Smash Tactic Raises Alarm

Police suspect the involvement of a group that specifically targets roadside parked vehicles during crowded festive occasions. The method involves quickly breaking the glass of unattended cars and fleeing with valuables within minutes. Investigators are scanning CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused.

Festive Season Crimes on the Rise

This latest case comes close on the heels of another burglary reported during the Raja festival in Niladri Vihar earlier this year. In that incident, unidentified thieves broke a window to enter a house and looted gold jewellery worth around Rs 5 lakh while the family was away in Puri.

Officials said the similarity in modus operandi, breaking glass to gain entry, indicates a recurring pattern of crimes during festive seasons, when both homes and vehicles are often left unattended.

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With Durga Puja and other major festivities approaching, Bhubaneswar police have stepped up night patrols in sensitive areas and appealed to residents not to leave valuables in parked cars or unsecured houses.