Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a dramatic undercover operation that lasted over two weeks, police officers from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar posed as roadside food vendors in Surat to track and arrest two members of an interstate theft gang.
For nearly 15 days, the officers chopped onions, flipped omelettes, and served bhurji to unsuspecting customers at a roadside stall near the suspects’ residence. What appeared to be an ordinary food cart was, in reality, part of a carefully planned surveillance operation that ultimately led to the arrest of the accused on April 27.
Theft Case Triggered Extensive Investigation
The investigation began following a theft incident on March 19 at Indraneel Apartments in Vedantnagar, where cash and valuables worth approximately ₹3.23 lakh were stolen.
To identify the culprits, investigators examined footage from nearly 150 CCTV cameras installed across different locations. In one crucial clip, the face of a suspect was clearly visible. This allowed officers to compare the footage with existing criminal records, helping them establish the identity of one of the accused.
Further investigation led police to believe that the suspects had relocated to Palsana taluka in Surat, prompting the decision to launch an undercover operation.
Police Officers Worked Disguised At Roadside Stall
Acting on instructions from senior officials, constables Yogesh Navsare and Pradeep Dandwate travelled to Surat and set up a roadside food cart close to the suspects’ residence.
While posing as vendors selling omelettes, bhurji, and other snacks, the officers quietly monitored the suspects’ daily routines and movements. Their disguise allowed them to operate without raising suspicion and gather critical intelligence over nearly two weeks.
Once the suspects’ identities and movements were confirmed, the police team carried out a coordinated raid, successfully arresting both individuals.
Accused Identified As Habitual Interstate Offenders
The arrested suspects have been identified as:
- Gurudas Suresh Koli (28)
- Amol Gokul Jadhav (33)
According to police officials, the duo are habitual offenders linked to multiple theft cases across different cities.
Investigators revealed that the accused used stolen vehicles fitted with multiple fake licence plates to carry out thefts and evade law enforcement detection. They also avoided using personal mobile phones, instead relying on digital applications to locate toll-free routes, enabling them to bypass checkpoints and reduce the risk of being tracked.
Gang Targeted Unoccupied Homes Across Cities
Police said the suspects followed a systematic pattern while committing crimes. Once they entered a city, they would identify unoccupied houses, break into lockers, steal valuables, and leave the area immediately.
Authorities confirmed that the accused have multiple criminal cases registered against them, including:
- Eight cases in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Around 28 cases in Nashik
Their criminal activities spanned several regions, making them part of a larger interstate theft network.
Accused Remanded To Police Custody
Following their arrest, both accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody until May 5.
Police officials stated that further interrogation is currently underway to determine whether the suspects were involved in additional theft cases across other cities.
Investigators are also attempting to identify other members of the gang and recover stolen property linked to earlier crimes.