Sunday crime: Two robberies in east Delhi

Three armed robbers allegedly broke into a senior citizen’s home in Preet Vihar, held his family hostage at gunpoint and made off with Rs 2,100 in cash and jewellery worth Rs 6 lakh on Sunday, police said.

Three armed robbers allegedly broke into a senior citizen’s home in Preet Vihar, held his family hostage at gunpoint and made off with Rs 2,100 in cash and jewellery worth Rs 6 lakh on Sunday, police said.

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The police said the incident occurred at 65-year-old S.K. Sharma’s east Delhi residence around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning. Sharma is a retired bank official and lives with wife Saroj and daughter Anjali in D Block, Preet Vihar.

“About three to four persons were involved,” said K.C. Dwivedi, deputy commissioner of police, east Delhi.

The gang allegedly assembled outside Sharma’s residence around 5 a.m. and dismantled an A-C conduit to gain entry, police said.

“One of the robbers went inside and overpowered Sharma, while his associates kept watch outside,” said a senior police official.

The gang was allegedly armed with cleavers, country-made pistols and knives.

“Holding Sharma at knifepoint and threatening him with dire consequences if he raised his voice, the robber then opened the main door, allowing his associates to enter and subsequently take Saroj and Anjali hostage,” the official said.

Police said that while two used mufflers to disguise their identity, one was wearing a monkey cap. After they had the family under control, two burglars allegedly combed the Sharma residence, pocketing any valuable they could lay their hands on, police said.