Four women held in Washim for stealing gold jewellery and cash from elderly woman's bag on bus

Police in Washim have arrested a gang of four women on the charge of stealing gold jewellery and cash from the bag of an elderly woman travelling on a bus. The theft took place on a bus going from Mangrulpir towards Akola.

According to information received by the police, the 70-year-old woman was travelling by bus from Mangrulpir towards Akola. The bus was crowded during the journey. It is alleged that the four women took advantage of the crowd and removed from her bag a pouch containing jewellery and money.

The elderly woman lost used gold jewellery and Rs 28,000 in cash. Valuables worth about Rs 1.78 lakh in all were taken.

The four women got off the bus at Shelubazar. When the bus moved on, the elderly woman checked her bag and found the pouch with the jewellery and cash missing. She immediately raised an alarm and told those around her. The local police then swung into action at once.

The police received word that the four women who had got off the bus were travelling in an autorickshaw. They chased the vehicle, stopped it some distance away and took the women into custody. The elderly complainant was also called to the spot.

The police said the women confessed to the theft during questioning. A case has been registered and further investigation is under way.

The four arrested women are being questioned. The police are also trying to find out whether the gang has targeted passengers on buses in the same way earlier, and whether cases of theft at other places are registered against them.

The police action in busting a gang that stole from passengers' bags in crowded buses is being appreciated.