The suspects were apprehended following a week-long police operation that extended to Haridwar and Mussoorie, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Raja Banthia
Police have since recovered Rs 1.75 lakh in cash, 29 pieces of gold and silver jewellery, and the motorcycle used in the crime. File Pic
In a heist reminiscent of a Bollywood thriller, a woman, a shopkeeper, and an unemployed man impersonated CBI officers and raided the residence of a businessman in north Delhi, escaping with cash and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees, reported the PTI.
The suspects were apprehended following a week-long police operation that extended to Haridwar and Mussoorie, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Raja Banthia.
Police stated that the 22-year-old woman, a distant relative of the victim, had knowledge of the valuables stored in the businessman's Wazirabad home. She enlisted the help of Keshav Prasad, 28, a shopkeeper operating a food supplement store in Haridwar, and Vivek Singh, 20, an unemployed student from Johripur in Delhi, to orchestrate the plan, according to the PTI.
“On the evening of 10 July, the trio knocked on the complainant’s door. Wearing white shirts, black trousers, and face masks, they introduced themselves as CBI officials from the Okhla branch,” said the DCP.
Claiming to be acting on an FIR, they alleged they had a warrant to search the premises. When the family requested to see the document, the imposters scolded them and demanded cooperation.
They forcibly opened an almirah and declared they were "seizing" Rs 3 lakh in cash along with gold and silver jewellery, according to police.
“When the complainant asked for a receipt for the seized items, the accused scribbled a few lines and signed under false names in a notebook belonging to the complainant’s daughter,” the DCP added, as per the PTI.
Suspicions arose shortly after the so-called raid, prompting the family to contact police -- but by then, the fraudsters had fled.
Once a case was registered, investigators launched a detailed enquiry, analysing footage from over 200 CCTV cameras in the vicinity. This led them to a motorcycle parked outside the victim's home at the time of the incident.
“The number plate was traced to Karawal Nagar, and its owner was identified as Keshav Prasad. However, he was not found at his residence,” said the DCP.
Further technical surveillance of the suspects’ mobile phones revealed that they were constantly relocating between Haridwar and Mussoorie.
“Following days of tracking, police arrested Keshav and the woman in Mussoorie on July 18. The third accused, Vivek, was apprehended in Haridwar the same day,” he noted.
During questioning, all three confessed to the crime. The woman admitted she had gathered information about the valuables during family visits and had masterminded the fake "raid" to carry out the robbery. She brought Prasad on board, who then involved his neighbour, Singh, to form the team, the news agency reported.
To create a convincing disguise, the trio purchased formal clothing and carefully planned their act -- including how to behave like officials and how to conduct the sham inspection.
After the robbery, the trio checked into various hotels, frequently changing locations and spending some of the stolen money on luxury and travel.
Police have since recovered Rs 1.75 lakh in cash, 29 pieces of gold and silver jewellery, and the motorcycle used in the crime.
(with PTI inputs)
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