Jewel thieves held with Rs12 lakh in Ahmedabad

The city crime branch officials on Sunday claimed to have apprehended three men with over Rs12 lakh in their possession. The trio is allegedly involved in as many as five break-ins at jewellery shops in the city within the last four months.

Crime branch officials claimed that they are also involved in a theft at Surat-based Krishna Jewellers from where they fled with 45 kg of silver. The accused have reportedly confessed to have struck a jewellery shop and a photo studio in Unna. In all, the cops said that the trio has committed eight burglaries before being caught on Sunday.

Officials said that they were nabbed at Vishala circle near Juhapura after police received a tip-off informing them of the trio coming to the city from Saurashtra.

The accused have been identified as Jignesh Katariya, Nilesh Patel and Umesh Patel alias Lalo, all residents of Odhav area. Jignesh and Nilesh are natives of Amreli district. According to the police, Nilesh has previously been booked in as many as six cases related to diamond as well as mobile thefts.

Police sources said that the trio would do a thorough recce before striking. They would break into the targeted shops late at night and make away undetected.