A 24 year old vagabond man has been arrested by the Delhi Police after he stole 11 high end bicycles for making his ends meet in north Dwarka area.

The police told The Pioneer that despite the bikes he stole pricing between Rs 18,000 to Rs 32,000, he sold some of them for less than Rs 5,000 in desperation for money for food. “He used to sell some bikes by asking for Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 from the buyer and stating that he is in desperate need of money. He used to promise that he would return the money and take the bicycle back. These cycles are on the expensive side costing around 18,000 to 32,000,” a senior police official said.

The man, identified as Selvin Wilson, was in his teenage when his father, who works as an ad hoc driver with a government agency, left his family and started living separately. To earn a living, the accused left his studies after 9th class from a government school and started work as a helper in office.

However, in 2023 he lost that work also and about two months back after a quarrel at home with his mother, due to not having any work, he left his home. He started living as a vagabond. After some time, he started stealing high-end bicycles and selling them to prospective buyers for food and his daily needs.

Upon receiving a number of e-firs regarding the stealing of bicycles in the area, the police gathered a team and technical and manual efforts were being made. A senior police official said that every spot of crime was being visited and CCTV coverage was being analyzed to garner clues about criminals.

“Previous offenders and listed criminals were being watched. From one of the spots, relevant CCTV coverage was discovered which was followed from point to point and the head route was followed. Specific features, like built, age, gait of the thief was observed accordingly. Beat staff and the Crack Team of the police station were sensitized. Efforts bore fruits in the form of apprehension of habitual bicycle lifters,” he said.

The accused was arrested when on area patrolling, a police team apprehended him near Park Sector-12 in Dwarka, with a stolen bicycle. While patrolling, they noticed a person on a bicycle coming towards them but sensing police presence, he turned back and tried to flee. However, the police quickly acted and apprehended him.

On enquiry, he revealed his name as Selvin Wilson and was unable to tell about the particulars and ownership of his bicycle. “On verification, the Bicycle was found stolen from Dwarka North police station, accordingly legal action was initiated and investigation taken up. During interrogation, the accused disclosed stealing a number of bicycles.

He was taken into police custody and further eight stolen Bicycles were recovered at his instance,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh.

He added that from his arrest 11 Cases of bicycle theft have been worked out and no previous cases have been registered against the 24 year old.