Meerut police have successfully cracked a gold jewellery theft case involving a sophisticated pickpocketing gang that targeted a goldsmith travelling in an e-rickshaw. Two accused were arrested, and jewellery worth approximately 60 grams was recovered, SP City Vinayak Gopal Bhosale said on Monday.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred on April 17, when goldsmith Mangalsen Verma of Narayan Garden, Rohta Road, was travelling in an e-rickshaw toward Hapur Adda. He was carrying gold jewellery — including necklaces, nose rings, finger rings and earrings — meant for a customer. Near Budhana Gate, one accused, who was also travelling in the e-rickshaw and was aware of the valuables, abruptly jumped off the e-rickshaw without paying the fare. When Verma reached Indira Chowk, half a kilometre away from where the man jumped off the vehicle, he discovered that his trouser pocket had been slit and that the jewellery pouch was missing.
Investigation and Arrests
Police reviewed footage from over 500 CCTV cameras across the area. The accused were subsequently identified and arrested near Ghanta Ghar Town Hall from a Rain Basera, a rest stop for homeless people operated by municipal corporations. The arrested accused — Kuldeep alias Rohit alias Bhela and Sajan alias Fauji, both residents of Fatehgarh district — told police they were operating across multiple cities, including Lucknow, Agra, Kannauj and Shahjahanpur.
Modus Operandi
The gang would first conduct reconnaissance, targeting elderly persons or traders. One member would sit beside the victim in an e-rickshaw and slit the victim’s pockets using a blade, while another followed on a motorcycle for a quick getaway. The stolen jewellery was later melted down in their village.
A third accused, Akash alias Mani, remains at large. Police are conducting raids to arrest him, added SP City.
