In a significant breakthrough, the Misrod police in Bhopal have apprehended three notorious burglars allegedly involved in a high-value theft at the residence of a retired government employee. The arrest, made on Saturday, brings relief in a case where gold and silver ornaments worth approximately Rs 15 lakh were stolen from a locked house in Liberty Colony.
How the Burglary Was Discovered
The victim, identified as Swavalamban Pathak, a retired employee of the Education Department and resident of Liberty Colony, had gone to Jagannath Puri with his family during the New Year holidays. The crime came to light when his son, who works in Nagpur, returned to Bhopal on January 3. He found the house lock broken and the interior in disarray.
Upon checking, the family discovered that a substantial cache of jewellery was missing. The stolen items included:
- An old, used gold ring
- A gold chain
- Silver anklets and a silver chain
- Four gold bangles
- A mangalsutra with a gold pendant
The total estimated value of the stolen articles was around Rs 15 lakh.
Police Crack the Case, Arrest Trio
Acting on the complaint, the Misrod police launched a detailed investigation. Their efforts led to the arrest of three individuals, all of whom have a long criminal history. The accused are residents of Mandideep and Obedullaganj.
The arrested men are confirmed history-sheeters, with more than a dozen cases of burglary and theft already registered against them in the past. Their modus operandi typically involved targeting locked houses during holidays when residents were away.
A Pattern of Criminal History
The successful crackdown by the Misrod police highlights the challenge posed by repeat offenders. The trio's extensive criminal records, featuring over a dozen prior cases, point to their persistent involvement in property crimes in the region.
This arrest is expected to solve not just the Liberty Colony burglary but potentially several other unsolved theft cases in Bhopal and neighbouring areas. The police are now investigating the accused for their possible involvement in other similar crimes.
The swift action has been commended by local residents and serves as a warning to other criminal elements. It also underscores the importance of community vigilance and robust police work in combating property-related offences, especially when families are away on vacation.
