Surat : ‘Burkhadhari’ Gang Arrested for Jewelry Showroom Thefts

Surat : The Surat police apprehended two suspects, including a female member associated with the notorious ‘burkhadhari’ gang, for their involvement in a series of jewelry thefts under the guise of purchasing ornaments from jewelry showrooms across Surat and other parts of Gujarat.

Rahmatullah Ansari and his wife Saeeda Ansari have been accused of orchestrating thefts at various jewelry showrooms within Surat and across Gujarat. Their recent target was Sai Jewelers, situated on Tower Road in Surat’s Mahidharpura area in 2022.

According to the Mahidharpura police, the couple, along with another female accomplice, executed a meticulously planned theft at the jewelry shop. Three veiled women visited the store in 2022, posing as potential buyers. While the owner displayed various gold chain designs, one member of the gang diverted the owner’s attention, enabling the others to pilfer nine gold chains discreetly.

The theft, amounting to a value of Rs 4.40 lakh in gold chains, prompted a swift complaint against the burkhadhari gang. Law enforcement officers utilized nearly 70 CCTV footages and toll booth records to track down the culprits. The male suspect and the female accomplice were arrested in Nasik, Maharashtra, based on gathered intelligence. Further investigations are underway, while the hunt continues for two other female absconders involved in the crime.

Saeeda Ansari, known for her involvement in numerous gold chain thefts, was arrested from Malegaon, Maharashtra. Multiple cases against her, including offenses reported across different police stations in Maharashtra and one in Mumbai’s Meghwadi Police Station, highlight her extensive criminal history.

Currently in police custody, both Rahmatullah and Saeeda Ansari are under investigation by the Mahidharpura police. Authorities are actively pursuing the recovery of the stolen gold chains while intensifying efforts to locate the two remaining female suspects at large.

The arrests mark a significant milestone in combating organized theft rings, emphasizing the police department’s commitment to curbing such criminal activities within Surat and the broader region of Gujarat.