Surat: In a major breakthrough amid rising incidents of chain snatching and motorcycle thefts in the city, Surat Crime Branch has arrested three members of a notorious criminal gang from Uttar Pradesh. The accused, who would execute crimes in Surat and flee to UP by train, were apprehended from Prayagraj in a targeted police operation.
The investigation stemmed from an incident on April 19, 2025, when 65-year-old farmer Ramanbhai Chhotubhai Patel was returning home on his motorcycle after finishing his daily routine near Nakalk Mogaldham on Laskana-Bhadgam Road. He was stopped by three unidentified youths who snatched his gold chain and escaped with his motorcycle. A formal complaint was filed at the Laskana Police Station.
Based on the complaint, the Crime Branch launched a thorough probe involving CCTV footage analysis, technical surveillance, and human intelligence. The investigation revealed that the suspects were residents of Prayagraj district in Uttar Pradesh. A team was dispatched to UP, which successfully arrested the culprits along with stolen goods worth several lakhs.
The arrested individuals were identified as Indrajeet alias Indrapal, son of Phoolchand Kurmi Patel (32, Sarai Madansingh, Holagadh Police Station, Prayagraj); Sachin Singh, son of Ravendra Bahadur Singh (Jaliyasai, Holagadh Police Station, Prayagraj); and Indrapal alias Rinku, son of Pyarelal Vishwakarma (Chhagaipur, Delhunpur Police Station, Pratapgarh).
According to police findings, the trio first stole a Hero Splendor motorcycle from the Kamrej area and used it to commit a chain snatching offence in Laskana. After executing the crime, they abandoned the bike near Laxmi Mohan Industries and boarded a train back to Uttar Pradesh.
From the accused, police recovered a total of 36.420 grams of gold chain valued at ₹3,42,700, three mobile phones worth ₹20,000, and the stolen motorcycle valued at ₹30,000 — amounting to a total recovery of ₹3,92,700.
As per agency report, it was discovered that the prime accused Indrajeet alias Indrapal already has criminal cases registered against him at Varachha and Godadara police stations in Surat. Co-accused Indrapal alias Rinku also has a case under the Prohibition Act.
All three have been handed over to Laskana Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway.
