Five locked homes in Maruti Society in Bareja, near Ahmedabad, were allegedly targeted during the Diwali holidays, with thieves stealing cash and gold ornaments from two houses, according to a report by Sandesh. Asalali police have registered a theft case and begun an investigation using CCTV footage, forensic teams and a dog squad.
The break-ins took place after families living in the society travelled to their native places or other locations for the holidays. The thieves allegedly forced open the main doors, broke locks and entered five homes that had been left vacant. Police are examining whether the houses were selected after prior surveillance of the society.
The stolen articles reportedly included gold and silver jewellery and cash. The report also said that imitation jewellery was later found abandoned at a location near Bareja, indicating that the intruders may have discarded items after carrying out the theft. The exact value of the stolen property was not provided in the report.
CCTV cameras installed in the society captured two individuals entering the premises with their faces covered with masks or cloth. The footage is being examined as part of efforts to identify the suspects and establish their movements before and after the break-ins. The report said the suspects also broke open safe locks inside the targeted homes.
Asalali police have started collecting evidence from the affected properties. The Forensic Science Laboratory and dog squad have been brought into the investigation, while officers are reviewing the available CCTV recordings. Police have reportedly claimed that the identities of the suspects have been established, but the report did not provide their names or confirm any arrests.
The incident has also raised questions about security arrangements and patrolling in residential areas during the holiday period. Rural police authorities had announced heightened security and patrols during Diwali, when many families leave their homes locked for several days. The Bareja incident has renewed attention on how vacant houses are monitored in residential societies during such periods.
The report referred to an earlier theft of Rs 1 crore from a warehouse within the Changodar police station area, a case it said remained unsolved before the Bareja break-ins. No official link between the two incidents has been established in the material available for this report.
Following the Bareja thefts, rural police have appealed to residents planning to travel during Diwali or other vacations to inform the local police station in advance when leaving their homes locked. The investigation will now focus on identifying and locating the suspects using CCTV footage and forensic evidence.
