In a daring heist, a lone wolf managed to pull off a robbery worth Rs 20-25 crore from Umrao Singh Jewellers in New Delhi. The incident initially seemed like the work of a professional gang with advanced tools, but it turned out to be the work of a single individual named Lokesh Srivas.
According to the police, Srivas spent around 18 hours inside the showroom in Bhogal to carry out the meticulous theft. He had prior experience in conducting burglaries in various states, but this was his first operation in Delhi.
Srivas entered the showroom by breaking into the adjacent building’s terrace door. He used a gas cutter to create a hole big enough for him to enter the strongroom. He then made off with approximately 30 kg of gold, diamond jewelry, and cash.
The investigation into the heist revealed footage from CCTV cameras showing a suspect carrying a backpack entering and leaving the building. The police later discovered a picture online, matching the suspect’s description, taken during a previous burglary in Andhra Pradesh. This led them to believe that Srivas was the culprit they were looking for.
Acting on the information provided by an associate of Srivas, Shiva Chandravanshi, who was arrested by the Chhattisgarh police, the Bilaspur police found Srivas hiding in Bhilai. They recovered stolen jewelry and cash totaling Rs 10 crore during the raid.
Srivas, a former barber shop employee, had plans to change his appearance through plastic surgery and expand his criminal operations.
The successful arrest and recovery of stolen goods were made by the Bilaspur police. The Delhi Police will soon take custody of Srivas.
This incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures to protect businesses and prevent such daring robberies. The police are not ruling out the possible involvement of an insider in the operation, indicating the importance of thorough background checks and vigilance within organizations.
It is imperative for businesses to invest in state-of-the-art security systems and train employees to handle emergencies effectively. Only through comprehensive security measures can they safeguard their valuable assets and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Summery:
A lone thief managed to pull off a high-value jewellery heist at Umrao Singh Jewellers in Bhogal, Delhi. The thief, identified as Lokesh Srivas (32), spent around 18 hours inside the showroom and stole jewellery and cash worth Rs 20-25 crore. He used clothes to create a curtain inside the showroom and entered through the terrace of an adjacent building. Srivas had previous experience in such burglaries in other states. The police recovered around 18kg of stolen gold and are investigating the possible involvement of an insider. Srivas was arrested in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, after the police tracked him down using CCTV footage and information provided by an associate. This was his debut heist in Delhi, and the police suspect he had plans to undergo plastic surgery to change his appearance and expand his criminal operations.
Image Credit : TOI
