Has the Second Shipment of Stolen Silver in Rajkot Been Recovered?
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Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad, February 10 (NationPress) - The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has achieved a major milestone in the ongoing investigation of the high-profile silver robbery in Rajkot, successfully retrieving a second batch of stolen silver and apprehending a principal suspect, as confirmed by police authorities on Tuesday.
This advancement follows a daring theft that involved approximately 120 kg of silver being stolen from a trader's premises in Rajkot during the early hours of February 4.
Law enforcement officials reported that unknown assailants broke into the location and absconded with silver valued at over Rs one crore, triggering a comprehensive state-wide inquiry that included intelligence operations and a review of CCTV footage.
Late on Monday night, police apprehended Mangusinh Rathore, a resident of Leela Heights close to Mango Cinema in Ahmedabad, during a focused search operation.
A subsequent investigation at Rathore’s home resulted in the discovery of 40 kg of silver, believed to be part of the stolen goods.
The recovered items comprised 30 kg of intact silver ornaments and 10 kg of silver that had been melted down.
Additionally, authorities found a specialized furnace and tools that were allegedly used to modify the stolen silver in an effort to hide its origins.
All recovered items have been submitted for forensic testing to establish their connection to the heist.
A Crime Branch representative stated: “The retrieval of this consignment signifies a major leap in our pursuit of the stolen assets. The suspect is undergoing rigorous questioning to uncover further evidence and identify any accomplices.”
The official further noted that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining silver and dismantle the syndicate responsible for the theft.
In a prior phase of the investigation, Crime Branch teams had seized another 40 kg of stolen silver in Mehsana and arrested Pradeep Prajapati, who was allegedly attempting to sell a portion of the stolen items.
Authorities continue to chase leads regarding the remaining 40 kg of silver and another suspect, Mukesh Prajapati, who was identified through CCTV footage.
Police units have also been deployed in Surat and Vadodara to track down more suspects and recover the rest of the stolen property.