Ratibad police dismantles theft racket:3 arrested for breaking into shops; booty worth Rs 3.5 lakh seized from the possession of accused

The Ratibad Police of Bhopal on Saturday claimed to have solved two major burglary cases, arresting three men who used to plan night-time thefts after conducting daytime surveillance of hardware shops. The accused, identified by the police as Farman (24), Rizwan (18), and Shahid, confessed to stealing copper wire, brass fittings and other electrical goods worth around Rs 3.5 lakh from multiple stores. According to police officials, the gang operated by scouting shops during the day and breaking in at night. Farman would break open locks while the others kept watch outside. The stolen materials were later sold at Shahid’s scrap shop in Qazi Camp area of Bhopal. Tools, scooter and stolen goods recovered Ratibad police station house officer (SHO) RB Sharma said that the police have recovered the tools used in the thefts, a scooter used for transportation, and the stolen copper wire and electrical equipment. The total recovered property is valued at Rs 3.5 lakh. The investigation began after two shop owners, one from Shanti Bihar Market, Sikandarabad Road, and another from Badjhiri Main Road, lodged complaints reporting break-ins at their hardware and motor-winding shops in August and September 2025. Both shops were found with broken locks and missing copper wire reels weighing over 100 kilograms. Accused identified after cops sift through 650 CCTV camera footage Following the reports, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1), Ashutosh Gupta formed two special teams led by Ratibad police SHO RB Sharma. Police analysed footage from around 650 CCTV cameras across Ratibad, Kamla Nagar, TT Nagar, Arera Hills, Jehangirabad, Ashoka Garden, Hanumanganj, Teela Jamalpura, Chhola Mandir and Nishatpura areas of the city to trace the suspects. Based on technical inputs and a reliable tip-off, the accused were traced and arrested near Khateja Masjid and Qazi Camp. During interrogation, they admitted to their involvement in the thefts. Senior police officials announce reward for the team Senior police officers of the city have announced commendations for the Ratibad Police team for their swift action and meticulous investigation that led to the recovery of stolen property and the arrest of the culprits.