The South District Police of Delhi announced the swift resolution of a mobile theft case within 12 hours, resulting in the retrieval of 72 stolen mobile phones, the apprehension of three habitual offenders, and the closure of 40 theft cases across Delhi. The operation, led by the Police Station Mehrauli team, involved extensive CCTV analysis, technical surveillance, local intelligence gathering, and immediate field action. The case originated from a PCR call on May 15 reporting a mobile phone theft near a bus stand, leading to the filing of an online theft complaint under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police diligently investigated the incident after the complainant mentioned two suspicious individuals near the crime scene, prompting a thorough review of CCTV footage and local intelligence development. To combat rising mobile theft incidents, a specialized team was formed under the supervision of the SHO of PS Mehrauli. Over 100 CCTV cameras were scrutinized, and inquiries were made with local vendors and shopkeepers to gather crucial information on the suspects. Through technical surveillance and field intelligence, the police successfully identified and apprehended the culprits near Chhatarpur Mandir Road.
During the arrest, the police recovered 72 stolen mobile phones, including the complainant’s device, from the accused individuals. The suspects confessed to their involvement in multiple mobile thefts across Delhi and disclosed their intention to sell the stolen phones in grey markets. This breakthrough not only swiftly resolved the initial case but also aided in solving 40 theft e-FIRs across various police stations in Delhi, with 32 recovered phones linked to reports from Delhi and Gurugram. Investigations revealed the accused targeted commuters and pedestrians in crowded public places to steal mobile phones for illegal resale.
The dedicated police team, including SI Amit Kumar, ASI Ravinder Kumar, and several constables, successfully executed the operation. The arrested offenders, identified as Manoj alias Kala alias Bullet, Suraj alias Chota Pawwa, and Sanjay alias Mohit, have prior criminal records related to theft, robbery, snatching, and Arms Act violations. Manoj has five previous criminal cases, Suraj has four, and Sanjay has the most extensive criminal history among the trio, with 19 cases across Delhi police stations. The recovery of 72 stolen phones aided in resolving cases in multiple police stations across Delhi, with further investigations ongoing.
