Vadodara Burglar's Failed Attempt at Reform Ends in Arrest
In a stark tale of crime and attempted redemption, a notorious burglar from Vadodara has been apprehended after slipping back into his old ways. Prahlad Dadhich, who spent years allegedly committing multiple burglaries in the city, tried to turn over a new leaf about five years ago by moving to Maharashtra and starting a small provision store in Thane.
Business Failure Sparks Return to Crime
However, the business venture failed to take off, resulting in significant financial losses running into lakhs of rupees. Driven by mounting debt and desperation, Dadhich allegedly abandoned his efforts at reform and returned to Vadodara to resume his criminal activities. His second stint in the world of crime proved to be short-lived, as he and an accomplice were swiftly arrested by the crime branch.
Police records reveal a long history of offenses. According to R G Jadeja, a police inspector with the crime branch, Dadhich spent over four years in Vadodara between 2011 and 2015, working as a labourer. During that period, he formed a gang and committed approximately eight burglaries in various parts of the city.
Sophisticated Modus Operandi Uncovered
Investigators detailed that Dadhich returned to Vadodara last month along with his accomplices, Suresh Sen and Bajrang, targeting residential areas. To avoid suspicion, the gang dressed up as professional salesmen and roamed around residential colonies in New Sama and Nizampura. Dadhich's familiarity with the city, having lived in several areas, aided their operations.
The gang allegedly conducted thorough reconnaissance before striking. In one notable case, they burgled a house in Sama, stealing cash and jewellery worth Rs 18 lakh. Police reported that the gang carried out three more burglaries in the city, with total recoveries of cash and jewellery valued at over Rs 74.30 lakh from the accused.
Extensive Criminal Records and Evasion Tactics
Further investigation uncovered extensive criminal backgrounds. Police records show that Dadhich has 14 burglary cases registered against him in Gujarat and Rajasthan, while his accomplice Sen is accused in three similar offenses in Rajasthan. In an effort to evade detection, the gang allegedly conducted their reconnaissance during the day and stayed at a lodge nearly 50 km away from the city at night.
This case highlights the challenges of rehabilitation for individuals with deep-rooted criminal histories, as economic pressures can lead to recidivism. The Vadodara crime branch's swift action has brought a temporary halt to this burglary spree, but it underscores ongoing issues in crime prevention and social reintegration.
