NOIDA: Police have busted an inter-district gang allegedly involved in stealing from locked flats in housing societies and arrested three people, including a woman.The accused were arrested near a cremation ground in Sector 123.During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to more than 100 thefts in Noida and several other districts of Uttar Pradesh.The arrested accused have been identified as 30-year-old Kailash alias Diwakar of Bulandshahr, 32-year-old Irfan alias Imran of Ghaziabad, and 24-year-old Sonali of Saharsa, Bihar.According to police, all three were currently living in different parts of Noida.Police recovered gold and silver jewellery, five laptops, two tablets, six mobile phones and Rs 3.50 lakh in cash from the accused.An Ertiga car allegedly used in the crimes and a vehicle registration plate suspected to be fabricated were also seized.Additional DCP Manisha Singh said the gang members would first enter housing societies wearing caps and masks and conduct reconnaissance of flats.They allegedly identified homes that appeared to be locked and assessed the possibility of finding cash, jewellery and electronic items inside.After identifying a target, the suspects would leave the society and return later in the Ertiga.Police said the accused deliberately covered their faces to prevent their identities from being clearly captured by CCTV cameras. They allegedly targeted jewellery, cash, mobile phones, laptops and other valuables.According to police, the gang would subsequently move the stolen property to different locations to dispose of it.Investigators are now verifying the suspects’ alleged involvement in theft cases that have not yet been linked to the gang.
From running cafes to allegedly targeting locked flat
The police probe uncovered a personal and criminal partnership between Diwakar and Sonali, who are in a relationship and live together.Police alleged that Sonali was closely involved in the gang’s operations, including identifying targets and carrying out reconnaissance, while Diwakar and his associate Irfan executed the thefts.Before turning to crime, Diwakar and Sonali had been running cafes.They first operated a cafe in Ghaziabad and later shifted their business to Noida.Police said mounting losses in the venture pushed the couple into financial distress, following which they began committing thefts.
Cases registered in Noida and Mathura
ACP Sanchit Sharma said several cases are registered against the accused in Noida and Mathura.Kailash allegedly has a 2023 case registered at Phase 2 police station, besides theft cases at Sector 49, Sector 113 and Govind Nagar police station in Mathura.Irfan is also allegedly named in cases registered at Sector 49 and Sector 113 police stations in Noida and Govind Nagar in Mathura.Sonali has also been named in theft cases registered at Sector 49, Sector 113 and Govind Nagar.Police said some of the five recovered laptops have been linked to theft cases registered at Sector 113 and Sector 49. The two tablets were allegedly connected to a theft case registered at Sector 49.
Network spread across districts
Police suspect the gang’s network extended beyond Noida.Investigators are trying to identify other members and determine where the stolen goods were sold. Two police teams have been formed to trace and arrest the remaining suspects.During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that stolen mobile phones and laptops were sold in different markets in Delhi.Police are now identifying traders and shopkeepers who may have purchased the stolen property.Officials said those found involved in knowingly dealing in stolen goods would also face arrest.