Two arrested with loot worth Rs 20 Lakh in Rajkot

Rajkot: The Rajkot City crime branch has solved five pending burglary cases with the arrest of two accused and the recovery of stolen valuables worth more than Rs 20 lakh, including gold, silver jewellery and cash.

The accused were identified as 22-year-old Sunil alias Aryan Siyal and Kiran Endariya (30). The duo was apprehended near Bhutnath Mahadev Temple on the Rajkot-Jamnagar highway during a crime branch operation.

According to police officials, the accused confessed during preliminary interrogation to carrying out five burglaries across Rajkot city over the past one-and-a-half months. Of these, three offences were reported under Gandhigram police station limits, while two cases were registered in the Pradyumannagar police station area.

Senior police inspector Mehul Gondaliya of the Rajkot city crime branch said the accused used to roam around the city on a motorcycle late at night in search of targets. Most of the burglaries were committed between 1am and 4am.

During questioning, the duo revealed that they would survey residential societies during night and specifically target houses that appeared locked from outside. After identifying vacant homes, they would break in and steal jewellery, cash and other valuables.

Police said the crime branch acted swiftly and managed to recover the stolen gold and silver ornaments before the accused could dispose of them in the market.

Investigators also found that Sunil has a criminal history with nine offences registered against him in Rajkot, Jamnagar and Morbi districts, primarily related to burglary. He also faces cases involving criminal conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and drink-and-drive offences.

Further investigation was underway to determine whether the accused were involved in additional property crimes in the region.