Snatcher arrested after Delhi cops analyse footage from CCTVs, track 30-km escape route

New Delhi, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with a snatching case after an extensive investigation involving the analysis of more than 100 CCTV camera footages and the physical verification of a movement trail stretching approximately 30 kilometres.

The accused, identified as Bikash Gurung, a native of Nepal, was arrested by a team of Sarojini Nagar police station in South-West District. Police said the investigation also led to the recovery of a stolen scooty, a gold pendant, a pair of silver anklets and two mobile phones.

According to police, the arrest has helped solve five cases and incidents involving snatching, theft and loss of property that were registered or reported at different police stations across Delhi.

The investigation began after an FIR, bearing No. 267/26, was registered at Sarojini Nagar police station on August 3 under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with a snatching incident.

A dedicated police team comprising ASI Narender, HC Amarjeet, HC Ajeet, HC Dilbag, HC Mahesh, HC Mainpal and Constable Devender was constituted to crack the case. The team worked under the supervision of Inspector Atul Tyagi, SHO of Sarojini Nagar police station, and the overall supervision of ACP/SJ Enclave Melvyn Verghese, IPS.

Police said the team carried out a detailed technical and field investigation, supported by local enquiries and systematic scrutiny of CCTV footage collected from different locations.

During the investigation, more than 100 CCTV camera recordings were examined to establish the identity and movement of the suspect and the vehicle used in the crime. Investigators created a continuous visual trail by coordinating footage from one camera location to another and physically verified a route of around 30 kilometres.

After 16 days of sustained efforts, including technical analysis and field verification, the police identified and apprehended Gurung.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed his involvement in the Sarojini Nagar case and several other incidents of snatching and theft. Police said he was using a stolen scooty to carry out the alleged offences.

According to police, Gurung had studied up to Class 11 and came to India from Nepal in 2022 in search of employment. He initially worked as a housekeeper and helper at different locations and was most recently residing in Bapa Nagar, Karol Bagh.

Police said the accused disclosed that around six months ago, when he was living in Munirka, he spotted a person sleeping in an intoxicated condition near a scooty whose key had been left in the ignition. He allegedly stole the vehicle and later shifted to Karol Bagh along with the scooty.

The accused then allegedly began using the stolen vehicle to commit snatching and theft incidents in different parts of Delhi to meet his expenses.

Police said his alleged modus operandi involved moving through different areas of South and Central Delhi on the stolen scooty and targeting vulnerable pedestrians, particularly women carrying mobile phones, bags or other valuables. He would allegedly approach the victims from behind or from the side, snatch or steal their belongings and quickly flee using connecting roads.

The recovered items include one stolen scooty, a gold pendant, a pair of silver anklets and two mobile phones.

The cases worked out include two snatching cases registered at Sarojini Nagar and Safdarjung Enclave police stations, theft cases registered at Tughlak Road and Kishangarh police stations, and a lost property report registered at R.K. Puram police station.

Further investigation is underway.

Source: IANS