The Delhi Airport Police have arrested a man who allegedly stole cash, credit cards and costly articles from foreign nationals at the airport.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Sanjay Bhatia said on Wednesday that 35-year-old Rajesh Kapoor has been arrested several times earlier for similar offences.
He was arrested in January while stealing perfume bottles worth $2,016 at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here.
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Money stolen
He was arrested in Mumbai on September 30 for allegedly stealing $1,400 from the handbag of Chinese national Chen Yang at IGI Airport. Mr. Bhatia said CCTV footage helped nail the accused.
“The incident took place on September 30. Mr. Chen was travelling from Delhi to Mumbai by Jet Airways flight 9W-302 at 9.45 a.m. He put his handbag for x-ray screening. However, the zip was open when he got it back. Alarmed, he checked the bag and found $1,400 missing,” said Mr. Bhatia.
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Mr. Chen reported the matter at the IGI Airport police station, following which a case was registered.
“We scanned CCTV footage from the baggage screening area. One of our officers spotted Kapoor, who had been arrested earlier for theft, roaming near the x-ray screening area. He was seen taking the money from the complainant’s bag while passing through security check,” added Mr. Bhatia. It was discovered that Kapoor was on a Mumbai-bound flight that left at 9.50 a.m.
Accused nabbed
The Central Industrial Security Force and local police at Mumbai airport were informed immediately. The accused was apprehended and handed over to local police at Mumbai airport. Of the stolen amount, $1,300 was recovered, said the police.
“Kapoor’s father is settled in Korea and his mother runs a hotel at Paharganj. Kapoor visited other countries frequently for work. Earlier, he lived in Singapore and Malaysia for two years. While travelling by air, he came up with the idea of stealing credit cards and valuables from co-passengers as he found they were more vulnerable,” said Mr. Bhatia.