Lucknow police have arrested three members of a burglary gang who allegedly used their work as painters and carpenters to scout homes before breaking in, recovering cash and jewellery worth around Rs25 lakh.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Vasanth Rallapalli identified the accused as Ravendra Kumar Gautam alias Chhotu (27), Sunny Rawat alias Kaliya (25), and Shiva Chaurasia alias Jaan (24). The trio was apprehended near PM Awas Yojana Gate No. 2 during a joint operation by the South Zone Surveillance Cell and local police.
Police revealed that the gang formed friendships while performing in orchestra groups and later used painting and carpentry jobs to access residential homes. ACP Krishnanagar Rajneesh Verma said they would monitor homes that were frequently empty or locked, then return later to steal valuables. The gang also used a motorcycle to conduct reconnaissance across neighborhoods.
The arrests helped crack at least five burglary cases, including four at Bijnor police station and one at PGI police station. Authorities recovered gold and silver ornaments—rings, chains, bangles, nose pins, earrings, anklets—and Rs47,150 in cash, along with the motorcycle allegedly used in the crimes.
All three accused have multiple prior cases of theft and housebreaking registered across Lucknow and have been sent to judicial custody. The police team involved was awarded Rs25,000 for the successful operation.
