Delhi Police busts inter-state burglary gang linked to 18 theft cases across NCR
Synopsis
Delhi Police's South District cracked an inter-state burglary ring allegedly behind 18 thefts across the NCR — the gang's cover was their day jobs as drivers. Three arrested, three still at large. The ₹3.98 lakh cash recovery and a car allegedly bought with stolen copper wire proceeds point to a well-organised operation hiding in plain sight.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's South District arrested three members of an inter-state burglary gang on 25 May .
The gang is allegedly linked to 18 theft cases across Delhi , Ghaziabad , and adjoining NCR areas.
Recoveries include ₹3,98,915 in cash, 22 bundles of stolen copper wire, two vehicles, and burglary tools.
Accused — Sonu (32), Arif (26), and Chand (30) — used day jobs as drivers to avoid suspicion and vehicles with fake plates to transport stolen goods.
Three other accused — Ayyub , Akbar , and Ubais — remain at large; police raids are ongoing.
Delhi Police's South District has dismantled an inter-state burglary gang allegedly responsible for 18 theft cases spanning Delhi, Ghaziabad, and adjoining NCR areas, with three members arrested and recoveries including ₹3,98,915 in cash, 22 bundles of stolen copper wire, two vehicles, and burglary tools, officials said on Monday, 25 May.
The Accused and Their Profiles
The three arrested have been identified as Sonu (32), a resident of Khera in Shahdara; Arif (26), from New Vikas Nagar in Loni, Uttar Pradesh; and Chand (30), also from New Vikas Nagar in Loni. According to police, Sonu worked as a tempo driver, while Arif and Chand were employed as TSR drivers — occupations the gang allegedly used as cover during daytime hours to avoid suspicion.
Three other accused — identified as Ayyub, Akbar, and Ubais — managed to evade arrest. Police said raids are currently underway to apprehend them.
What Triggered the Investigation
The arrests stem from a burglary at an electric shop on IGNOU Road in Mehrauli on the intervening night of 12 and 13 May. The gang allegedly broke open the shop's shutter and made off with bundles of copper wire and cash. An e-FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Mehrauli Police Station.
A special investigation team was subsequently constituted under SHO Mehrauli Inspector Ritesh Sharma and supervised by ACP Mehrauli Raghubir Singh.
How the Gang Was Traced
Investigators analysed CCTV footage and deployed technical surveillance, which revealed the gang was using a Skoda Fabia fitted with fake number plates to carry out burglaries. Police first detained Sonu along with a Swift Dzire car, from which stolen copper wire bundles and two iron rods — allegedly used to break shop shutters — were recovered.
Acting on Sonu's disclosure, the team conducted further raids and arrested Arif and Chand. The Swift Dzire, according to police, had allegedly been purchased using proceeds from selling stolen copper wire to scrap dealers.
Modus Operandi
Officials said the gang primarily targeted electric shops during night hours, focusing on copper wire bundles and cash. During the day, members maintained regular employment to blend in, while using vehicles with fake registration plates to transport stolen goods — a pattern consistent with organised inter-state criminal networks operating across the NCR corridor.
Scope of the Operation and What Comes Next
Police have so far linked the gang to 18 burglary cases across Delhi, Ghaziabad, and adjoining NCR districts. Further investigation is underway to trace the three remaining accused and recover additional stolen property. The scale of the operation — spanning multiple jurisdictions — points to a coordinated network rather than opportunistic crime.
Point of View
Not just opportunistic crime. With three accused still at large and 18 cases confirmed, the question is whether the network is wider than the current chargesheet reflects. Multi-jurisdictional coordination between Delhi Police and Uttar Pradesh authorities will determine whether this is a genuine dismantling or a partial disruption.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many theft cases is the Delhi burglary gang linked to?
The gang has so far been linked to 18 burglary cases across Delhi, Ghaziabad, and adjoining NCR areas, according to police. Investigation is ongoing to establish further connections.
Who were the three people arrested in the Delhi burglary case?
The three arrested are Sonu (32) from Khera in Shahdara, Arif (26) from New Vikas Nagar in Loni, Uttar Pradesh, and Chand (30), also from New Vikas Nagar in Loni. All three allegedly used their day jobs as drivers to avoid suspicion.
What was recovered from the arrested gang members?
Police recovered ₹3,98,915 in cash, 22 bundles of stolen copper wire, two vehicles — including a Swift Dzire allegedly bought with theft proceeds — and iron rods used to break shop shutters.
How did Delhi Police trace the burglary gang?
Investigators used CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance to identify the gang, which was using a Skoda Fabia with fake number plates. The breakthrough came with the arrest of Sonu, whose disclosure led to the capture of Arif and Chand.
Are all members of the gang in custody?
No. Three accused — identified as Ayyub, Akbar, and Ubais — managed to escape and remain at large. Delhi Police have said raids are underway to arrest them.
