Delhi Police have successfully apprehended a three-member gang responsible for a spate of burglaries and attempted break-ins in the upscale Vasant Kunj area. The arrests came after a meticulous investigation that involved scanning over 150 CCTV footage and interrogating more than 60 known criminals with similar modus operandi.
Pattern of Thefts Triggers Police Action
The South West District police were alerted by a pattern emerging from complaints filed in October and November 2025. According to DCP (South West) Amit Goel, the first reported incident occurred on the intervening night of October 17 and 18, where an apartment was burgled. The thieves made off with Rs 10,000 in cash and an imported torch.
The gang struck again on October 26, this time targeting the Sai Baba Temple in D-7, Vasant Kunj. This theft proved more lucrative, with the loss amounting to Rs 80,000 in cash, a 10-gram silver coin, a silver plate, and other valuables.
Failed Attempts and the Gang's Modus Operandi
Two more similar burglary attempts on November 10 and November 19 cemented the police's suspicion of an organised gang at work. This pattern prompted an intensive probe. The investigation revealed the gang's sophisticated methods.
The accused meticulously conducted reconnaissance of areas adjacent to forest patches near residential blocks. This strategic choice provided them with easy access and a quick, concealed escape route under the cover of darkness. To avoid detection, they often used a car belonging to one of the accused and deliberately involved an associate with a clean police record. This tactic was aimed at evading identification and fingerprint matching during preliminary checks.
Technical Surveillance Leads to Arrests
Relying on sustained technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs, the police team first apprehended accused Gaurav, also known as Rinku. His arrest led to the subsequent capture of his associates, Sunil alias Rabban and Md. Salim.
The police's breakthrough was the result of painstaking effort. Before zeroing in on the trio, officers had scanned footage from more than 150 CCTV cameras in and around the crime scenes. They also questioned over 60 known burglars involved in previous incidents to gather clues and understand potential networks.
The arrests have brought relief to residents of Vasant Kunj, with police indicating that the trio is responsible for five to six complaints received over the preceding two months. The case highlights the use of both modern technology and traditional investigative techniques in solving urban crime.
