In a major breakthrough, the Noida police on Wednesday dismantled a gang of burglars and apprehended three individuals, including the mastermind. The gang specialized in breaking into locked homes during daylight hours when most residents were away at work. Authorities recovered a significant haul of stolen cash, gold and silver ornaments, burglary tools, and a vehicle from their possession.
Complaints and Investigation
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a Bakhtawarpur resident on Tuesday, who reported that unidentified persons had broken into her house and stolen gold and silver jewellery, Rs 3 lakh in cash, two mobile phones, and a laptop. Another incident from May 8 involved a Sector 127 village resident who lost two laptops and other valuables in a similar manner.
Acting on these reports, a specialized police team was formed. Investigators meticulously examined footage from 50 to 60 CCTV cameras in the vicinity. Through a combination of technical surveillance and manual verification, they identified the suspects. Following a tip-off, the trio was intercepted and arrested from the embankment road near Garhi Shahdara village in Sector 131.
Arrested Accused and Seized Items
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shubham alias Kaku, a resident of TP Nagar in Meerut; Rahul Sharma of Kasna; and Sachin Verma of Dankaur. Police confiscated approximately Rs 3 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, four mobile phones, four laptops, the car used in the thefts, lock-breaking implements, and an illegal knife. Shubham is believed to be the gang leader and a habitual offender with a criminal record spanning over a decade.
According to Additional DCP Manisha Singh, Shubham would scout neighbourhoods during the day, identifying locked houses. Once a suitable target was located, he would use an iron rod to break the locks, enter the premises, and steal cash, jewellery, electronic gadgets, and other valuables. Rahul Sharma allegedly assisted in disposing of the stolen property, while Sachin Verma, a goldsmith by profession, melted the stolen jewellery to sell it discreetly in the market, evading detection.
Weapons and Criminal History
ACP Praveen Singh stated that the gang members carried knives to intimidate anyone who resisted during their crimes. Police suspect they may have injured victims in previous incidents and are now verifying their criminal records with police stations in neighbouring districts. Additional charges have been levied against the accused, and a separate case under the Arms Act has been registered against Shubham for possessing an illegal knife.
Further investigation is underway to determine the gang's involvement in other unsolved burglary cases in the region. Records indicate that Shubham, aged 38, has an extensive criminal history spanning nearly 11 years, involving theft, robbery, and other offences. He has been jailed multiple times, with cases registered against him under theft-related sections, the Arms Act, Excise Act, and the NDPS Act in Meerut and Gautam Budh Nagar.
