Surat: A police officer’s keen observation of a thief’s distinctive walking style helped Salabatpura police nab him when he returned to a textile market to commit another theft, days after stealing Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from a parked car.The accused, Prince Mendapara alias Kalu (28), allegedly stole a bag containing Rs 2.5 lakh from a Kia Seltos parked in the basement of Millennium textile market on Sep 17.According to police, Mendapara was looking for vehicles with an open window or unlocked door. After spotting a window of the car open, he stole a bag containing the cash.Police inspector R A Jadeja said teams examined footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed at various locations. Investigators not only identified the suspect’s face but also noticed his distinctive walking style.“CCTV footage showed that the accused had checked vehicles in the parking lots of several other textile markets on the day of the theft. He left after failing to find bags or cash and eventually targeted Millennium textile market,” Jadeja said.Police said the CCTV footage helped them establish the accused’s modus operandi. He allegedly moved from one parking lot to another in search of vehicles with open windows or doors. Based on this pattern, police teams were deployed to keep a watch on parking lots and basements of textile markets.During surveillance, head constable Darshankumar Shaileshbhai spotted a masked man emerging from the basement of Radha Krishna market. His walking style matched that of the suspect captured on CCTV.The constable stopped the man and removed his mask to verify his identity. Police said Mendapara initially denied being the person seen in the CCTV footage but later confessed to stealing Rs 2.5 lakh from a parked car in Millennium textile market.Police said the entire stolen amount has been recovered and further proceedings have been initiated. A case has been registered at Salabatpura police station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).During interrogation, Mendapara told police that he had accumulated debts after losing money in online gaming and needed cash. After succeeding in his first theft, he returned to the textile market area hoping to commit another theft.Police are now investigating whether Mendapara was involved in other thefts from parking lots or elsewhere.Mendapara, who has studied up to the second year of graduation, allegedly turned to theft after losing money through gambling, police added.
