Rising theft cases rattle Solan district

A spate of thefts has shaken various parts of Solan district, with a noticeable uptick in incidents involving not just vehicles parked along roadsides but also shops located within residential and rural areas. The troubling trend points to an emboldened group of miscreants targeting anything of value that can be easily stolen and sold.

Theft cases have been particularly rampant in rural regions, where unattended items such as shuttering material, taps and even vehicle tyres are being pilfered. In cases where vehicles cannot be unlocked or hotwired, the culprits have resorted to stripping them of valuable parts.

In an unusual twist, police sources reported that meat was also stolen from a shop located nearby, an act not typically seen in past theft cases. Investigations are ongoing and authorities are working to trace the suspect captured on video.

In another recent case, a youth from Kasauli, Virender Kumar, was arrested for stealing a Mahindra utility vehicle loaded with garlic sacks from the Shamti area of Solan. The vehicle had been parked just outside the owner’s room and was driven away during the night to the grain market in Chandigarh. Thanks to CCTV footage, police were able to trace and recover the vehicle the same day.

The issue of stolen shuttering materials has also come to light, including a case from an under-construction site in Barog. The accused in that case were found to be repeat offenders, having committed similar thefts both before and after being released on bail.

Solan SP Gaurav Singh, when asked about the situation, acknowledged that many of the thefts are being committed by the same miscreants who continue their activities after securing bail. He urged vehicle owners to avoid parking in isolated or poorly lit areas, particularly at night, as this increases the risk of theft.

The police have also identified a disturbing pattern involving inter-state gangs, often made up of young men, who frequent the border areas of Parwanoo, including Dharampur and Kasauli. These gangs, despite being busted in the past — particularly in connection with two-wheeler thefts — continue to resurface, aided by easy bail and poor surveillance.

Authorities are stepping up efforts to curb this wave of thefts, but the recurring involvement of known offenders has made it a challenging task. Residents are being urged to remain alert, secure their properties and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.