A spate of thefts at the Happy Palace Boys’ Paying Guest (PG) accommodation near Vastrapur Lake has raised alarm among residents, with four separate incidents reported over the weekend. Each case involved the theft of mobile phones, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by students and young professionals living in shared accommodations.

Case 1: Student's mobile phone stolen from Vastrapur boys' PG

In the early hours of Saturday, a student preparing for the GRE, Akshitkumar Girishbhai Joshi, reported the theft of his Samsung Galaxy S23, valued at approximately ₹25,000. The incident occurred between 3.30 am and 7.05 am on March 23, while Joshi left his room door open due to the heat. Upon waking, he discovered his phone, which contained a Jio SIM card, was missing. After searching the premises, he filed an online complaint and subsequently approached the Vastrapur police station to register an FIR. Police officials confirmed that an investigation is underway, with CCTV footage being reviewed to identify the suspect.

Case 2: Two mobile phones stolen from PG

In a similar incident, two mobile phones worth a total of ₹23,000 were stolen from the room of Kunal Patdia, a software developer and his roommate Manas. The theft occurred between 12.30 am and 7 am on March 23, as both men slept with their door left open for ventilation. Kunal’s Redmi Note 12 Pro, valued at ₹15,000, and Manas’s Vivo T1, worth ₹8,000, were taken during the night. After discovering the theft, the pair filed an online complaint and later registered an FIR at Vastrapur police station. The police are currently examining CCTV footage to trace the thief.

Case 3: Student’s mobile phone stolen while asleep

Another theft was reported by Aryan Deepakbhai Dobariya, a 19-year-old Business Studies student, who had his OPPO Reno 12 mobile phone, valued at ₹20,000, stolen from his room at the PG. The incident occurred between 2 am and 8 am on March 23. Aryan, who had left his door open due to the heat, discovered the theft upon waking. He filed an online complaint and approached the police for a formal investigation, suspecting that an unknown individual had entered his room during the night.

Case 4: Mobile phone worth ₹25,000 stolen amid rising heat

In yet another incident, Vivek Vimalbhai Pujara, a 25-year-old manager at ICICI Bank, reported the theft of his OnePlus 10T mobile phone, valued at ₹25,000. The theft occurred between 2 am and 8 am on March 23, while he and his roommate Aryan left their door open for ventilation. Upon waking, Vivek found his phone missing and filed an online e-complaint before visiting the Vastrapur police station to lodge a formal complaint.

The Vastrapur police have registered all four cases and are actively investigating the incidents.