Gatecrasher steals valuables worth Rs 20 lakh at wedding

Mapusa: A gatecrasher at a wedding at the Ganeshotsav Mandal auditorium in Arambol on Sunday fled with a bag containing gold jewellery and a mobile phone worth Rs 20 lakh, belonging to the groom’s family, while members of both families were busy with a photo session.

Police suspect the intruder struck around 3pm when the Palyekar family from Mandrem and the Naik family from Arambol were posing for photographs. “He seized the opportunity and stole the bag,” a police official said.

The bag contained an eight-tola gold necklace, a diamond ring and a mobile phone.

After the wedding rituals, both families were engaged in photographs and most guests had moved to the food counter, leaving the bag unattended, a relative of the groom said.

Police said inquiries revealed that a well-dressed man with distinct features was seen at the venue. “He was also seen helping himself to food before making his move,” the official said.

Mandrem police, who were called to the venue, retrieved blurry CCTV footage from outside the hall showing a suspect fleeing on a two-wheeler driven by an accomplice. “We will find and arrest the suspects soon,” a police official said.