Summary: Doris Payne engaged in non-violent jewelry thefts for nearly six decades across the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France starting from the 1930s. Ambika Pulami Pun of Syangja, convicted in 18 cases of stealing earrings by gaining children’s trust, has been compared to the 95-year-old Doris Payne. Ambika was arrested and taken into custody by the Kaski Police on April 29 on charges of stealing earrings.
April 25, Kathmandu – In the past, incidents of stolen items were common when Doris Payne entered jewelry stores in America, prompting shopkeepers to file complaints with the police. Investigations often found Doris to be the culprit. She concealed her identity using numerous aliases, 32 different names, 9 passports, multiple birth dates, and 10 social security numbers.
Doris was born into a poor American family in 1930 and turned jewelry theft into her profession from a young age, dominating the world of crime for nearly 60 years. Her method of theft was unique; she never employed violence, issued threats, or engaged in misconduct. Instead, posing as a wealthy woman, she successfully stole items from jewelers. Her crimes extended beyond America to Japan, the UK, and France.
In 1970, Doris was arrested in Nice, France, for stealing a diamond ring worth approximately $500,000 at that time. The ring was never recovered. Even in recent times, despite arrests, police have been unable to locate stolen items. Doris faced multiple arrests and continued facing theft charges until the age of 86. She earned the nickname “Grandmother of Thieves.”
In 2017, Doris was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart but was released on parole due to her age. Now 95, she leads an independent life. A documentary titled The Life and Crime of Doris Payne has been made based on her life of theft.
Ambika Pulami Pun from Syangja appears to follow a theft method similar to Doris Payne’s. Just as Doris avoided violence and impersonated a wealthy woman to steal, Ambika also refrains from violence, instead gaining children’s trust by acting as a friendly companion to them and offering juice before stealing their earrings.
Currently held in custody at Kaski District Police Office, Ambika has prior experience with incarceration. She faces 18 cases of theft and has been convicted in several, yet she shows no sign of reform. She has recently been arrested again for stealing earrings from children using similar tactics.
On April 19 at 4:55 PM, two earrings worth approximately NPR 100,000 went missing from a 6-year-old girl in Hemja Ramchowk, Pokhara. Her family reported the incident to the police. CCTV footage from the crime scene showed a yellow scooter with the plate number ग२५प ३५८४.
The footage revealed a woman wearing a raincoat on the yellow scooter offering juice to the child, after which the earrings were missing. Investigation found that on April 5, the scooter had been rented from ‘A One Motorbike Rental and Tours.’ The woman who rented it is Ambika, now in police custody.
Ambika, aged 25, originally from Chapakot Municipality-3 in Syangja and currently residing in Rambazar, Pokhara, was arrested by Kaski police on April 29 from Mahendrapul, Pokhara. Investigations revealed she deceived children by saying, “I am your mommy’s friend,” showed affection, gave ice cream and juice, and stole their earrings.
Just as American police pursued Doris Payne actively, Nepalese police track Ambika as soon as children’s earrings go missing. According to Kaski police spokesperson DSP Hari Basnet, “Ambika is consistently fortunate in earring theft cases. These incidents occur frequently and she immediately comes under police scrutiny.”
Ambika targets children wearing earrings, and once found alone, she quickly preys on them. Over the past decade, she has become adept at coaxing children and stealing earrings. DSP Basnet confirmed that Ambika has been found guilty in 18 theft cases over this period.
On July 6, 2021 (Asar 22, 2078 BS), Kaski District Court convicted Ambika in 18 theft and robbery cases, sentencing her to 2 years imprisonment and a fine of NPR 20,800 for 11 theft charges. For the remaining 7 cases, she received sentences ranging from 6 months to 1.5 years and fines between NPR 5,200 and NPR 10,400. She has been arrested once again on accusations of stealing earrings.
