A series of house burglaries has shaken Daspalla in Nayagarh district, with miscreants targeting three houses in a single night. The incidents reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday when two masked men broke into the homes under the cover of darkness and decamped with gold jewellery and cash.

Victims Recount Early Morning Loot

One of the victims, Alok Satpathy, said the burglaries took place between 3 am and 3.30 am. According to him, the thieves ransacked the houses and looted all valuables. He added that the miscreants appeared to be locals and also targeted two neighbouring houses.

In one of the affected homes, the owner was staying in Bhubaneswar and returned to Daspalla only after being informed about the incident. Residents said that although family members were present in some rooms at the time of the thefts, the burglars locked those doors from outside and targeted other areas of the houses to steal valuables.

Police Probe, Gang Angle Suspected

Following complaints lodged at the Daspalla police station, police launched an investigation with the help of a sniffer dog. Preliminary findings suggest that the burglars used glass cutters to break locks. Officials suspect the involvement of an organised gang, as all three incidents followed a similar modus operandi.

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Residents Demand Stronger Security

The incidents have triggered concern among local residents, who said cases of theft have been increasing in the area. They have urged the authorities to step up security measures and intensify night patrolling to prevent further burglaries.

Police have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity. Authorities said additional patrolling is being considered in the affected localities to deter criminal activity.

The spate of burglaries has raised serious concerns over home security and the possible presence of organised criminal gangs in Daspalla.