New Delhi, February 14 A 19-year-old man has been arrested for stealing gold jewelry from a car after distracting its occupants by spraying irritants inside the vehicle, police said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Jafar, is a resident of Sangam Vihar.
According to police, the incident took place on February 6.
The complainant, Bhabhuti Prasad Sharma, and his family were travelling in a car when a man signaled them to stop, claiming that oil was leaking from the hood.
"When Sharma stopped to check the vehicle, another person distracted him. Meanwhile, Jafar sprayed an irritant substance inside the car, which made the family cough, forcing them to step out," a police officer said.
Taking advantage of the situation, the accused stole a bag containing gold jewelry and fled on a motorcycle, police said.
Following the complaint filed by Sharma, a case was registered and an investigation launched.
Police teams analyzed footage from over 50 CCTV cameras in the area and tracked the suspicious movement of a motorcycle near the spot. Technical surveillance and local intelligence helped identify the suspect, after which he was apprehended.
Police have recovered the stolen jewelry, including a gold necklace and rings, from his possession along with the motorcycle used in the crime.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime and disclosed the involvement of an accomplice, who is currently at large.
The accused told investigators that he committed the theft to earn quick money for personal expenses, police said.