Cops probing theft at bizman home nab notorious burglar with AI help

Nagpur: The city police crime branch recovered valuables and tools, total worth over Rs3.3 crore, after arresting alleged burglar Rajnikant Chanore and accomplice Pratap Urkude, using AI-based analysis and an inter-state chase while probing the burglary at businessman Baljinder Singh Indrajit Singh Nayyar's home in Shirke Layout, Raj Nagar last month. Sources said Chanore (25), a resident of Besa-Pipla Road, and Urkude (26) — both hail from Bhandara — were nabbed last week after being traced to Bhosari in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune through cellphone tower locations. ATM transactions also indicated their stay in Ahmedabad. Police said the duo planned to travel to Kolkata to melt stolen gold that had been kept at Chanore's rented flat in Hudkeshwar. Sources said Chanore splurged the loot on extravagant lifestyle, flying between cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune, checking into 5-star hotels and driving high-end cars. His wardrobe comprised 50 pairs of branded jeans and global luxury labels, said sources. Police said Chanore operates in a wider network. CP Ravinder Singal, along with Jt CP Navinchandra Reddy, Addl CP Vasant Pardeshi and DCP Crime Rahul Maknikar, told media on Sunday that the gang had 22 offences across states including Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, and that stringent action, including MCOCA, would be pursued.Valuables estimated at Rs3 crore to Rs5 crore were stolen from Nayyar's residence on January 19-20. Investigators relied on AI-driven surveillance, including CCTV footage from the crime scene and other locations. "Though the footage was unclear, police said the burglar's gait, physical build and modus operandi provided leads," said the CP.Police identified around 50 individuals with similar physical traits and movements. "After rigorous verification, 42 suspects were ruled out and the probe narrowed down to eight prime suspects," said DCP Maknikar. Chanore emerged as the key suspect after cross-checking travel data, mobile signals and financial trails.A Class 12 pass-out trained in forex trading, Chanore allegedly turned to crime after heavy stock-market losses. Sources said he would enter homes through back doors or windows and melt stolen gold using specialised equipment to avoid traceability. His girlfriend, an ayurveda student in Bhopal, allegedly expanded his network.Searches at the scene and Chanore's flat in Hudkeshwar yielded 1,228 grams of gold ornaments, 197 grams of silver jewellery, Rs33 lakh cash, burglary tools, five mobile phones, an expensive watch, gold-melting materials, and a moped used in the crime, totalling Rs3.3 crore.Chanore had visited the Mahakumbh after previous burglary, said sources. He was nabbed by then Hudkeshwar police station's in-charge Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar, who now heads the crime branch team which busted the gang.Chanore faced nine cases each in Nagpur city, and Bhandara, two each in Chandrapur, and Bhilai-Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. He had deposited Rs5 lakh in banks.