Three Held for High-Value Denim Theft in North Delhi
In a significant crackdown, the Delhi Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a burglary where denim cloth valued at approximately Rs 15.4 lakh was stolen from a shop located on New Rohtak Road in north Delhi. The police action followed a complaint filed by the 41-year-old shop owner on December 24 at the Sarai Rohilla police station, which was registered as an online e-FIR.
Modus Operandi and Initial Breakthrough
The accused executed a nighttime burglary by breaking the lock of the shop. They made away with 22 bundles of jeans material, with each bundle estimated to be worth around Rs 70,000. A case was registered under sections 305 (theft in a dwelling house) and 331 (house trespass or house break-in) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigators quickly turned to CCTV footage from cameras installed near the crime scene. "CCTV cameras installed near the spot were checked and analysed, wherein the offending tempo was captured," stated DCP (north) Raja Banthia. This footage proved to be the crucial lead, capturing the vehicle used in the crime.
The Investigation Unfolds: Arrests and Recoveries
The police identified the tempo and questioned its owner. The owner revealed that a man named Naresh had booked the vehicle on the day of the incident for a trip from New Rohtak Road to Yamunapar. Acting on a specific tip-off, the police apprehended Naresh (45), a resident of Prem Nagar, on Sunday.
During interrogation, Naresh confessed to committing the burglary with three associates: Iqbal, Ashraf, and Hanif. The stolen denim cloth was reportedly transported to Iqbal's godown in Seelampur. From there, Iqbal allegedly sold the material to various buyers.
One such buyer was Umar Khan (48), who purchased 10 rolls of the cloth worth about Rs 7 lakh. The police successfully apprehended Khan and seized the rolls from the Khayala Industrial Area. In a subsequent operation, co-accused Hanif (41) was arrested from Seelampur on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Iqbal and Ashraf remain absconding, and efforts are on to trace them.
Criminal Histories Revealed
The investigation shed light on the extensive criminal backgrounds of the accused. Naresh was found to have a staggering history, with prior involvement in 16 cases of burglary and theft. Umar Khan had been involved in a case of hurt previously, while Hanif had a past connection to a murder case. These revelations point to the involvement of seasoned criminals in this high-value theft.
The Delhi Police's methodical approach, starting from CCTV analysis to following the chain of the stolen goods, has led to the partial cracking of this case and the recovery of a significant portion of the stolen property.
