In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Police have apprehended three individuals, including a woman, in connection with a high-value burglary at a senior citizen's residence in South Delhi's upscale Saket area. The arrests come nearly a month and a half after the theft, where gold and diamond jewellery and other valuables estimated at a staggering Rs 21 lakh were stolen.
The Burglary and Investigation Breakthrough
The incident occurred on October 31 at the complainant's home in SFS Flats, Saket, while the elderly resident was away. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan, the accused gained entry by breaking open a window. They subsequently fled with a haul that included precious gold and diamond jewellery, wristwatches, designer perfumes, and other valuables.
The investigation pivoted on CCTV footage from the vicinity, which captured a suspect loitering suspiciously near the targeted house. After meticulous analysis, the suspect was identified as Shivam Sonkar (25), a resident of Jahangirpuri. His arrest on December 16 provided the crucial lead. Based on his disclosures, the police swiftly nabbed his associate, Akash Sharma (32), also from Jahangirpuri.
Recovery of Stolen Property from Amritsar
During interrogation, the duo revealed that they had hidden the stolen jewellery at a rented premises in Amritsar, Punjab. Acting on this tip-off, a dedicated police team conducted raids in the Mohini Park area of Amritsar. The operation led to the recovery of the stolen gold jewellery, a wristwatch, and a designer perfume.
In a further twist, the police also traced and recovered a gold chain that had been mortgaged by the accused at a finance company's branch in Putlighar, Amritsar. This comprehensive recovery operation successfully retrieved a major portion of the looted items.
Third Arrest and Criminal History
The police also arrested a 28-year-old woman, a relative of the two male accused, for her alleged role in receiving and concealing the stolen property. Her involvement highlights the network used to dispose of the illicit gains.
Investigations have uncovered that prime accused Shivam Sonkar is a habitual offender, with alleged involvement in multiple burglary and theft cases across the national capital. The Delhi Police are continuing their probe to ascertain the accused's potential links to other unsolved crimes in the region.
This case underscores the persistence of the police in solving crimes against vulnerable senior citizens and serves as a warning to criminals targeting residential areas in South Delhi.
