Gang Targeting Locked Houses Active In Ahmedabad West; Valuables Worth ₹21.92 Lakh Stolen In Satellite, Bodakdev
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A gang targeting locked houses after allegedly conducting reconnaissance appears to be active in the western parts of Ahmedabad, with two separate thefts reported in Satellite and Bodakdev. Thieves escaped with cash, gold jewellery, US dollars and antique items worth a combined ₹21.92 lakh, prompting police to examine CCTV footage and investigate unidentified suspects.
Elderly Couple In US, ₹16.75 Lakh Stolen From Satellite Home
In the Satellite case, 62-year-old Ashikbhai Govindbhai Patel, a retired man living at Golden Tulip Bungalows in Shreyas Tekra near Manekbaug, had travelled to the United States with his wife on April 18 to visit their daughters.
Their house remained locked during their absence.
On July 19, their neighbour Ashishbhai called and informed the family that a rope was hanging from the house. Ashikbhai then sent his younger brother, Pratimbhai, to check the property.
Pratimbhai found household belongings scattered and the locks broken.
According to the preliminary investigation, the thieves broke the grill on the terrace before entering the house. They then broke open a bedroom cupboard and allegedly stole ₹4 lakh in cash, a bank locker key and 12 tolas of gold from a safe locker.
The total value of the stolen property was estimated at ₹16.75 lakh. After returning from the US, Ashikbhai lodged a complaint at the Satellite police station.
Thieves Use Coconut Tree To Enter Bodakdev House
In the second incident, 34-year-old lawyer Maunilbhai Yagnik, who currently lives in Highland Park Society near Gulbai Tekra, reported a theft at his former residence in Shrilakshmiwadi on Rajpath Rangoli Road in Bodakdev.
Following heavy rainfall, the family had shifted to Gulbai Tekra but continued visiting the Bodakdev property for cleaning and maintenance.
On August 6, Maunilbhai’s father, Jayantbhai, cleaned the house, locked it and left. When he returned the following evening, he found the kitchen window grill lock and exhaust fan broken.
The investigation found that the thieves allegedly climbed a nearby coconut tree to reach the first-floor balcony. They then broke the exhaust fan and entered the house.
The stolen items included gold and silver jewellery from a cupboard and the temple area, four antique watches, 12 rare Rudraksha beads ranging from one-faced to 21-faced varieties, five-faced Rudraksha malas, a brass idol of Neelkanth Varni, imitation jewellery, old coins, old currency notes and US dollars.
The total value of the stolen property was estimated at ₹5.17 lakh.
Police Probe Both Cases
Bodakdev police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Police are examining available CCTV footage and other evidence to identify the unidentified suspects.
The two incidents have raised concerns over thefts targeting houses left locked for extended periods in Ahmedabad’s western areas.
