The Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch (LCB) has arrested a man from Madhya Pradesh in connection with the theft of gold ornaments from passengers’ luggage on luxury buses parked near highway hotels. The arrest led to the recovery of 15 gold items valued at over ₹45 lakh.
Arrest and Recovery
The accused, Sakir Pathan, son of Kamal Chau Pathan and a resident of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh, was tracked and caught based on surveillance footage and intelligence inputs. He was reportedly part of a mobile theft gang that specifically targeted buses halting overnight on highways.
During routine patrols, the LCB received a tip-off about Sakir’s location. He was detained and confessed to stealing gold from a parked bus near Dhandhuka. Following this, he was booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Dhandhuka police station.
Modus Operandi
According to DySP Astha Rana, the gang used a Maruti Brezza to move across states with the sole purpose of committing thefts. “They would target luxury buses parked outside roadside hotels at night, looking for unattended or locked luggage that might contain valuables,” she said.
CCTV footage showed gang members stealing a gold-laden bag from the luggage compartment of a bus parked near a hotel in Dhandhuka. Using this evidence and local intel, LCB officials arrested Sakir in Maharashtra. Two of his accomplices are still absconding, and multiple police teams are searching for them.
Recovered Gold Ornaments
The following gold items were recovered from Sakir:
- A large necklace weighing 119.03 grams, worth ₹8.51 lakh
- Three smaller necklaces weighing 126.04 grams, valued at ₹10.17 lakh
- A pair of bracelets weighing 109.16 grams, worth ₹8.81 lakh
- A thick gold chain with a pendant (129.18 grams), valued at ₹10.43 lakh
- A thin chain with a pendant (20.18 grams), worth ₹1.62 lakh
- Two pairs of gold earrings (52.21 grams), worth ₹4.21 lakh
- Five gold-plated rings weighing 14.41 grams, valued at ₹1.17 lakh
Investigation Underway
After his arrest, Sakir was handed over to Dhandhuka Police for further questioning. Investigators are now looking into his criminal background and probing whether the gang has been involved in similar thefts in other districts or states.
“This case serves as a wake-up call about the rising threat of interstate gangs targeting luxury bus passengers,” said DySP Astha Rana. She advised travellers to avoid leaving valuables unattended, even if they are kept in locked luggage.