Business venture fails, serial burglar returns to crime world

Vadodara: After spending years on the wrong side of the law and allegedly committing multiple burglaries in the city, Prahlad Dadhich attempted to turn over a new leaf. About five years ago, he moved to Maharashtra and started a small provision store in Thane. However, the business failed to take off, leaving him with losses running into lakhs.Driven by mounting debt and desperation, Dadhich allegedly slipped back into crime, returning to Vadodara to resume burglaries. His second stint in the criminal world, however, was short-lived as he and his accomplice were arrested by the crime branch.
"He spent over four years in the city between 2011 and 2015, working as a labourer. During that period, Dadhich formed a gang and committed around eight burglaries in different parts of the city," said R G Jadeja, police inspector, crime branch.Police said Dadhich returned to Vadodara last month along with his accomplices, Suresh Sen and Bajrang, and began targeting residential areas."They used to dress up as professional salesmen and roam around residential colonies in New Sama and Nizampura to avoid suspicion. Dadhich was well-versed with the city as he had lived in several areas," Jadeja told TOI.The gang allegedly conducted reconnaissance before striking. In one case, they burgled a house in Sama and stole cash and jewellery worth Rs 18 lakh, police said.Investigators said the gang carried out three more burglaries in the city. Police recovered cash and jewellery worth over Rs 74.30 lakh from the accused.Police records show Dadhich has 14 burglary cases registered against him in Gujarat and Rajasthan, while Sen is accused in three similar offences in Rajasthan.To avoid being tracked, the gang allegedly conducted reconnaissance during the day and stayed at a lodge nearly 50 km away from the city at night, police said.