SURAT: In a significant crackdown, Surat City Crime Branch detained two key members of the notorious "Chaddi Baniyandhari" gang, known for their distinctive modus operandi of selling balloons by day and executing thefts by night. The duo, Raj Pawar and Avina Solanki, have been linked to over 50 thefts spanning various states.
Authorities have seized stolen goods worth Rs 56,970, vital documents, a motorcycle, and Rs 1,000 in cash from the culprits. Essential tools used in their illicit activities, such as a grill cutter, patch, grip, and others, were also discovered.
Acting on a tip-off about the gang's activities near the Sarthana canal, Surat Crime Branch mounted surveillance that led to the duo's capture. Upon interrogation, Pawar and Solanki confessed to their dual lives: posing as innocent balloon sellers near the Surat Railway Station ticket window during the day, while prowling the surroundings for theft opportunities at night.
Their targets included upscale residences, where they would strike under the cover of darkness. To remain inconspicuous during their nocturnal activities, they would don brief vests, stashing their regular attire and tools in a lungi. Aggressive in their approach, they were known to throw stones at any eyewitnesses or dogs that detected their presence. Post-theft, the duo would make their getaway on stolen motorcycles.
The arrest has enabled the police to resolve about 20 theft cases filed across Gujarat. Additionally, the culprits have been implicated in multiple FIRs across several states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, and Delhi. The capture of these inter-state criminals marks a significant achievement for the Surat Crime Branch.
