Surat Police Crack Down on Interstate Theft Ring
Surat's Detection of Crime Branch made a significant breakthrough on Monday. They arrested four members of an interstate criminal gang. This group specifically targeted money-transfer and foreign exchange offices across India.
Preemptive Arrest in Althan
Police teams acted on a crucial tip-off. They learned the gang was staying at Hotel Althan Rooms in Surat. The suspects were planning a theft at a local money-exchange office. DCB officers conducted a swift raid at the hotel. They apprehended all four accused before they could execute their planned crime in the city.
During the arrest, police recovered stolen valuables worth approximately Rs 73,000 from the gang's possession.
Gang Members and Their Modus Operandi
The arrested individuals have been identified as Rinku Chauhan (27), Jugendra Rajput (18), Abhishek Thakur (19), and Yogesh Thakur (22). All four hail from Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators revealed the gang's sophisticated yet simple method. They used Google search extensively. The criminals searched for addresses of money-transfer and forex offices in various cities. After identifying targets, they traveled by train to different locations. They executed late-night break-ins at these cash-heavy establishments.
Police stated the gang specialized in targeting outlets in busy commercial areas and near metro stations. Their digital reconnaissance helped them pinpoint vulnerable offices across multiple states.
Criminal History and Mastermind
Rinku Chauhan emerged as the mastermind of the operation. Police records show he has 11 previous cases of house-breaking and theft registered against him. Jugendra Rajput and Yogesh Thakur each have two past criminal cases. Authorities are currently verifying the complete criminal history of the remaining accused.
Solving Multiple Unsolved Cases
The arrests have led to a major investigative success. DCB officials confirmed they have solved seven previously undetected theft cases. These cases were registered in several cities including Chennai, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Sikandrabad, and Faridabad. The crimes spanned across Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
Confessions and Crime Spree Details
During interrogation, the gang members provided detailed confessions about their activities. They revealed they left Delhi by train earlier this month. On January 2, they broke into two money-exchange offices near metro stations in Sikandrabad.
The gang then traveled to Chennai. There, they targeted JSM Forex Pvt Ltd in the Nandambakkam area. They successfully stole Rs 25,000 from this location. After the Chennai theft, they returned to Delhi. They were preparing for another criminal operation when they decided to divert to Surat. This is where police finally intercepted them.
The accused also admitted to several other crimes. They confessed to breaking into a shop in Noida four months ago, stealing Rs 2 lakh. Seven months ago, they targeted a money-exchange office behind the court in Delhi's Saket area, making off with Rs 60,000. Additionally, they admitted to stealing iron rods from construction sites in Delhi and selling them for quick cash.
This coordinated police action has disrupted a significant interstate criminal network. The case highlights how criminals are using common digital tools for reconnaissance. It also shows the effectiveness of tip-based police work in preventing crimes before they occur.
