MAPUSA : Mapusa police has arrested a native of Kerala on charges of stealing valuable items worth 6.5 lakh from the rented room of a Nigerian tourist residing at Siolim .

Police said the incident took place on September 19 when the Nigerian tourist, Michael Okafor, left his rented room at Gaunsavaddo, Siolim, alongwith his friend. Unidentified accused persons broke open the door lock and decamped with gold ornaments, watches and cellphones, police said.

Mapusa police, investigating the case, found that the alleged accused was from Kerala and after plotting the theft, he went back to his native place. He also sold some of the gold ornaments to a local goldsmith in Kerala while some of the stolen items were kept in his home. Police also received a tip-off that the alleged accused visited Goa very often and after committing thefts, went back to his native place for safety.

After getting confirmation that the accused had plotted the theft at the Nigerian’s residence, a Mapusa police team headed to Kerala and arrested the alleged accused Geno George, 35. The Mapusa police team, under the supervision of PI Tushar Vernekar, recovered 57g of melted gold, silver and gold ornaments and cell phones worth around 4.5 lakh.

