Delhi Police have busted an inter-state burglary gang that targeted railway colonies across the city during a week-long spree, aided by a tampered licence plate and CCTV footage from over 90 cameras.
The breakthrough came when investigators identified a partially visible registration number—UP24__557_—from grainy footage and matched it with 30 vehicles in the Uttar Pradesh transport database. Technical surveillance later traced the suspects to Jangpura, where police on January 16 caught the trio red-handed with stolen valuables following their latest break-in.
The investigation began on January 14 when Krishan Dev, a resident of Railway Colony, Kishanganj, reported a theft at his home. He stated that his family had gone to Gurgaon on January 13 and returned the next evening to find locks broken and valuables missing, including Rs 1 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, and 50 Canadian dollars.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said that investigators examined footage from over 100 cameras near the crime scene. “One suspect was observed entering Railway Colony and surveying locked houses for 15–20 minutes. We also obtained grainy footage of a licence plate. Through further inquiry, three suspects were apprehended,” he said.
The accused have been identified as Bhoore (33), Arun Rathore (26), and Nishant (26). During interrogation, they confessed to another burglary two days earlier in Railway Colony, Gulabi Bagh. Raids at their rented homes in Sultanpuri and Mandoli led to the recovery of stolen property, including Rs 50,000 in cash, gold and silver jewellery, 50 Canadian dollars, and important documents. Police also seized 416 grams of silver jewellery stolen in a separate case.
The trio admitted to targeting railway colonies because residents were often away during the day. They would survey locked houses carefully before executing the theft and then divide the loot after each crime.
