Delhi man flew over 200 flights to steal valuables from passengers, arrested

New Delhi: A man who had been involved in a series of thefts targeting flight passengers is arrested by a police team at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi on Monday, The Indian Express reported.

Rajesh Kapoor, 40, began operating on trains before targeting elderly women passengers with handbags during the boarding process.

Kapoor managed to travel unnoticed assuming the identity of his deceased brother Rishi Kapoor.

He used to frequently change seat to get close to unsuspecting victims, report said citing police.

Kapoor was arrested following a series of theft reported on Air India flights.

Notably, two passengers flying to the US lost jewellery worth Rs 7 lakh and Rs 20 lakh during journey.

While Sudharani Pathuri’s jewellery was stolen during flight from Hyderabad to Delhi, Varinderjeet Singh lost valuables on his transit flight from Amritsar to the Capital.

Analysis of CCTV footage from Hyderabad, Delhi and Amritsar airports as well as Kapoor’s presence on both flights raised suspicion.

Tracking down his phone number from airlines, police discovered that it was fake registered in someone else’s name, and the call record details (CDRs) of his original number revealed that he lived in Paharganj and switched on his phone for a limited time each day.

After circulating his photograph and conducting searches, police eventually arrived at his doorstep at Ricky Deluxe Guest House.

After arrest, Kapoor confessed to carrying out thefts and police recovered stolen property including gold and silver jewellery along with other valuables, according to the report.

Police arrested another man identified as Sharad Jain, 46, from Karol Bagh who received stolen ornaments from Kapoor.

Kapoor’s extensive travel history of more than 200 flights in the past one year raised suspicion about his involvement in similar thefts in other airports in India.

Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) said that ‘Some more cases may get worked out in due time. The travel history of the accused is also being analysed for the last one year to further unearth his involvement in other similar cases. Investigation of the case is in progress.’