Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 8: A 49-year-old woman from Gujarat has been arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery worth Rs 6.3 lakh from a shop at the Oberoi Hotel in Nariman Point after posing as a customer and trying on several ornaments, police said.

The accused has been identified as Priti Dasani, a resident of Porbandar district in Gujarat. She was produced before a court and remanded in police custody.

According to police, the incident took place around 1 pm on September 2 at Vipul Arts Shop inside the Oberoi Hotel. A 31-year-old employee was attending to customers when Dasani entered the outlet claiming she wanted to purchase jewellery.

"She reportedly tried several gold ornaments, including rings, earrings, bracelets and bangles, for a considerable period before leaving without making a purchase," a police official said.

After she left, the employee counted the jewellery and found that a pair of gold earrings, a ring and a single earring were missing.

The employee informed the shop owner and reviewed CCTV footage recorded on his mobile phone. The footage allegedly showed Dasani secretly placing jewellery in her trouser pocket while examining the ornaments.

Based on the footage, police registered a case and launched a search for the accused.

During the investigation, police received information that Dasani was staying at a hotel in Kandivli West. A police team reached the hotel and arrested her.

Police said a search of her belongings allegedly led to the recovery of a diamond-studded yellow-metal earring and Rs 2 lakh in cash. The total value of the seized property was around Rs 4 lakh.

According to police, Dasani allegedly told investigators that she had sold some of the stolen jewellery at a shop in Zaveri Bazaar. However, she reportedly provided vague details about the transaction.

Police are conducting further investigation to trace the remaining stolen jewellery and ascertain the full extent of the alleged theft.