INDIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM BUSINESSGang loots shop in front of police HQ - The Times of IndiaKOLKATA: It seems nothing is safe in Kolkata — not even if it is right opposite the Lalbazar police headquarters.


For the fourth time in quick succession, burglars broke into a third floor shop at 9, Lalbazar Street (Mercantile Buildings) on Saturday evening smashing computers and stealing Rs 15,000 kept in a locker. Burglars evidently see it as a soft target, having looted Rs 55,000 earlier.

The traders (Tulsian Aggarwal Associates) had rented a shop here in December last year precisely because they thought it would be "very safe". This, however, was not to be. They had their first two break-ins within weeks, but didn't inform the cops. They simply made a detailed complaint to the building management claiming Rs 30,000 and Rs 25,000 were stolen.

After the third burglary, they lodged a complaint with Hare Street police station. No cash was stolen then; thieves took away only computer equipment and accessories. The police were clueless about the gang then, as they are now. The fourth FIR has also been lodged with Hare Street police but there is no headway in either case.

The burglars struck between 7 pm (when the traders closed shop) and 9.30 pm, when an electrician found the front door glass smashed. It made a very small opening in the wooden door and police believe only a very frail man or a child could have crawled inside.

The burglars smashed five computer screens (no one knows why) after stealing the cash. There was shattered glass strewn all over the place.