Mumbai: 

Gone in a flash: (Above) While the man on the left lifted the green saree pretending to inspect it, the man beside the rack took out the clothes he wanted to steal. (Below) He then put them in a bag, which was immediately taken out of the shop by another man (circled). The man with the saree shifted position to make sure that the salesman wouldn't be able to spot the man with the bag

Designer Shachi Lodha is obviously angry after robbers stole sarees and salwar kameezes worth Rs 2.62 lakh from her shop in less than five minutes. But even she'd have to admire the unique modus operandi the six robbers used.

The incident took place when two groups consisting of one woman and two men each entered her store in Prime Mall, Vile Parle, during the opening hours last Thursday. Careful to distinguish themselves from each other, one group addressed the staff in English and asked for sarees. The other made enquiries in Marathi and asked for salwar kameezes.

On the pretense of purchasing the clothes, the groups engaged the salesmen into showing them the merchandise. Then while enough attention was diverted, the men cleverly lifted sarees pretending to inspect them. This helped cover their accomplices who lifted expensive anarkali-style dresses and sarees.

After lifting one pile, one robber exited the store, offloaded the stash and returned for the second pile. Both parties exited soon after without making any purchases. Nilesh Lodha who runs the store with his designer wife is shell-shocked, but hopeful that CCTV footage will lead to nabbing the culprits. "Nothing of the sort has ever happened. But four other boutiques in the mall have also been robbed, so this might be the same gang," he said.

Meanwhile, the store's staff has also been rattled. "I've told them to put it behind them and carry on. They were very upset for two days," said Shachi. Sunil Borade, investigating officer at Juhu police station, said investigations were on.