New Delhi, February 17 The Delhi Police have arrested three individuals who stole gold, silver ornaments, and over Rs 1 lakh in cash from a passenger on a crowded DTC bus here, an official said on Tuesday.
The theft was reported on February 5. The complainant, Vikas Kumar, said that while traveling to Jhandewalan, unknown individuals cut open his bag and stole gold, silver ornaments, he said.
The accused were identified as Daiodiya Dipubhai (43), Abhishek (24), and a 34-year-old woman, all residents of Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
"The investigation revealed that the accused woman sold two gold bangles to a jeweler, Dayal Poddar (42), a resident of the Mangolpuri area, where police recovered 14.250 grams of melted gold from his possession," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Anant Mittal said.
Police analyzed multiple CCTV cameras, including footage from the DTC bus, and circulated the pictures of the suspects, he added.
During the investigation, it was revealed that four people, including two women, were involved in the theft, a senior police officer said.
Police received information about the presence of the accused in the Mangolpuri area. Consequently, on the night of February 14 and 15, coordinated raids were conducted at two locations in Mangolpuri, resulting in the arrest of the three accused, the DCP said.
The accused disclosed that they are residents of Gujarat and had come to Delhi specifically to commit theft. They targeted crowded public transport, particularly DTC buses, taking advantage of the heavy rush. They also confessed to the crime on February 5, he said.
"They would strategically surround the victim in the crowd to restrict movement and create confusion. During this process, one member would discreetly cut open the victim's bag using a sharp object, while the others shielded the act to block the victim's view," the officer said.
After committing the theft, the accused would disperse at different bus stops to avoid suspicion and identification, police said, adding that the accused Daiodiya Dipubhai was found to be the mastermind of the gang.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain their involvement in other similar cases.