Police in Bengaluru have apprehended a 36-year-old man for allegedly executing a clever swap, replacing a genuine gold ring with a counterfeit piece at a city jewellery store. The accused, identified as Rajesh BG from Beechanahalli village in Tumakuru, is suspected of employing the same deceptive technique in multiple similar incidents earlier this year.
The Modus Operandi of the Gold Swap
According to authorities, the latest crime occurred on the morning of November 3. Rajesh entered the Ganesh Gold Shop located in Doddabasti, Jnanabharati. The shop staff, as per routine, showed him five rings for examination. Seizing a moment when the staff was momentarily distracted, Rajesh cleverly concealed one of the genuine gold rings in his left palm. In its place, he left a fake ring. He then exited the premises without making any purchase.
The theft went unnoticed until the shop staff conducted a stock check that night. Realizing the valuable piece was missing, they filed a formal police complaint the following day. Investigators reviewed the shop's CCTV footage, which provided clear visual evidence of Rajesh's actions, leading to his identification.
A Pattern of Similar Crimes
Further investigation revealed that this was not an isolated act. Police records indicate a pattern. In May 2024, Rajesh was accused of stealing a gold ring valued at approximately Rs 80,000 from a jewellery shop in Agrahara Dasarahalli, located in west Bengaluru. His method was identical: swapping the original item with a fake replica.
The spree continued in June. Rajesh visited another jewellery establishment in Nagarabavi, also in west Bengaluru. On this occasion, he first requested to see various gold ring designs and even took pictures of a ring worth over Rs 60,000. He returned later the same evening and successfully swapped the original ring with a counterfeit before walking away.
Arrest and Recovery
Acting on the evidence from the November 3 incident, a dedicated police team tracked down Rajesh to his residence in Beechanahalli. He was placed under arrest. During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered approximately 22 grams of gold from his possession.
This is not Rajesh's first encounter with the law in 2024. He was previously arrested by the Kengeri police in connection with a separate theft case and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The recent arrest underscores the persistent efforts of Bengaluru police to tackle organized theft targeting jewellery businesses.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance for jewellery retailers and the critical role surveillance technology plays in solving such sophisticated crimes. Customers are also advised to be aware of their surroundings when handling high-value items in stores.
