90k loot leaves 2 with bullet injuries in Valsad

SURAT: An armed robbery in Valsad's Dharasana village saw use of firearm by the robbers, which resulted in bullet injuries to two persons and loot of cash and jewellery worth Rs90,000 on Tuesday night.
A gang of five robbers with covered faces targeted the residence of forest officer Ramesh Patel at Dharasana village falling under the limits Dungri police station.The robbers armed with long knives and firearms started thrashing the family members and demanded valuables from them. They fired one round at Nirali when she tried to stop them. The woman suffered a bullet injury on her leg. The robbers then fired a few rounds in air to threaten other family members.
Hearing the commotion, Rakesh, a youth from the neighbouring house, rushed in to help the family. The robbers fired one round at Rakesh and injured him on the leg. He was later locked in the bathroom by them. They later looted Rs30,000 cash and jewellery worth Rs60,000 from the house and left on a motorcycle and in an auto-rickshaw, sources said.
Nirali and Rakesh are under treatment for their bullet injuries in a hospital in Valsad.9
Police concluded from the bullets found in the house that the robbers were carrying an automatic revolver and could be from a professional gang. "We are not sure in which direction the gang escaped. Our investigation is on to identify the gang and to nab the robbers," said V H Joshi, police inspector, Dungri police station.
Police have been carrying out 'nakabandhi' of roads in Valsad district, but so far no suspect has been nabbed. A similar robbery took place at Lilapor village under Valsad rural police station limits on January 5. The robbers had used firearms to loot the residents. Police suspect the same gang could be involved in the robbery at Dharasana village too.