• Thief takes Covid cover to loot cafe in Kolkata
    Times of India | 12 June 2025
  • Kolkata: A thief cited Covid protocols to conceal his identity by wearing a cap ‘pulled down upto the eyes' and masks, posed as a cleaning staffer and looted Rs 67,000 in cash from a popular café on Woodburn Road in south-central Kolkata. Cops said the cafe employees had not yet explained how the accused gained access to a spot only open to employees. Detective department sleuths recalled how four years ago, during the pandemic, criminals used the Covid protocols to commit petty crimes. The Woodburn Road cafe theft took place around 7:40 pm on Monday. The establishment's partner owner has filed a formal complaint with police. The accused's movements in the cafe premises have been captured by CCTV cameras. "We believe the perpetrator acted alone, and we are confident about identifying the accused," said an officer from Bhowanipore Police. The incident has led Lalbazar to step in too. It has collected multiple footage of the incident. Local business owners have urged cops for enhanced security measures. Senior cops in the south division have confirmed that a few leads are being pursued. "We are thoroughly examining the surveillance footage and gathering evidence from the scene. Our team is also using local sources to apprehend the suspect," an officer said. This incident marks the third reported theft this week, prompting the local business association to schedule an emergency meeting on security issues.The police have urged anyone with information about the incident to share the same with them.
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