Surat Thief's Unusual Phobia Leads to Decade of Daylight Burglaries
In a bizarre twist to criminal behavior, a 35-year-old burglar in Surat has been operating exclusively during daylight hours for nearly a decade—not due to police surveillance, but because of a deep-seated fear of dogs that developed after a painful canine bite during a nighttime theft in 2016.
From Night Prowler to Daylight Operator
Udhna police have arrested Rajesh Tiwari, alias Nanaku, whose criminal career took an unusual turn eight years ago. According to police inspector SN Desai, "After that incident, he developed a profound fear of dogs and made a conscious decision to operate only during daytime hours." This psychological shift persisted despite the significantly higher risk of being spotted by witnesses during daylight operations.
Investigations reveal that Tiwari was involved in at least five documented daytime burglaries between 2016 and 2026 across multiple Surat neighborhoods including Pandesara, Kadodara, Udhna, and Puna areas. His consistent daylight pattern presented investigators with an unusual criminal profile that eventually helped them track his movements.
Recent Daylight Heist and Arrest
The criminal's daylight operations culminated in a Monday morning burglary at Hetal Apartment in Udhna, where Tiwari and his accomplice Dipak Pandey allegedly broke into three separate flats. From one residence belonging to Himanshu Rana, a 27-year-old private mobile company employee who works in Mumbai and visits Surat on weekends, the thieves made off with gold and silver ornaments along with an Apple mouse—collectively valued at approximately Rs 62,000.
Police traced Tiwari to Jolva village in Palsana taluka through a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence. The arrest operation successfully apprehended both Tiwari and his accomplice Pandey, bringing an end to their unusual daylight crime spree.
Broader Criminal Network Uncovered
Further investigation exposed additional connections within the criminal network. Police also arrested Dipak Jain, a mobile shop owner who allegedly purchased stolen valuables from Tiwari since 2021. This revelation suggests the existence of an established system for disposing of stolen goods that had been operating for several years.
The case highlights how personal trauma can dramatically alter criminal behavior patterns. While most thieves prefer the cover of darkness, Tiwari's canine-induced phobia forced him into a riskier daytime modus operandi that ultimately contributed to his capture after nearly ten years of unconventional criminal activity.
Police officials noted that the victim, Himanshu Rana, had been watching the movie "Dhurandhar-2" with his mother at RR Mall before returning home around 3 PM to discover the broken lock and theft. This detail underscores how the burglar specifically targeted homes when residents were likely to be away during daytime hours.
