Rajkot: A former sharecropper’s knowledge of an elderly farmer’s finances allegedly helped fuel one of Saurashtra’s biggest recent robberies. Rajkot Rural police have arrested four more accused in the Rs 2.49 crore dacoity at Shapar-Veraval, but valuables worth over Rs 1.5 crore and six suspects, including the alleged mastermind, remain untraced.Rajkot Rural local crime branch (LCB) on Tuesday arrested Vijan Mavi, Rameshwar Machhar, Raju Bhabhor and Sagar Meda in connection with the June 20 robbery at the home of 77-year-old farmer Jitendrasinh Jadeja.Police seized more than Rs 17 lakh in cash, a car, a motorcycle and other valuables from them. Earlier arrests led to the recovery of stolen property worth Rs 76 lakh.The absconding accused are Kamal Singh alias Kalam Singh Singad, Karan Singh alias Madiya Singad, Mahobt Singh, Alam Singh alias Sulsula, Bahadur Baberia and Nilesh Machhar.Rajkot district SP Vijay Singh Gurjar said Bahadur Baberia had worked as a sharecropper on Jadeja’s land six years ago and got familiar with the family’s financial status, jewellery and cash holdings.Police said the plan was hatched at a village fair in Jambu, Madhya Pradesh, where Baberia discussed the possibility of targeting Jadeja’s residence with Raju Bhabhor and Sagar Meda. He told them only an elderly couple lived in the house.Investigators said Baberia, Bhabhor and Meda visited Shapar on June 8 and surveyed the property. They then recruited Nilesh Machhar and Rameshwar alias Pappu Machhar.Between June 15 and June 17, the gang conducted extensive reconnaissance, studying police station locations, escape routes and CCTV camera placements.Rajkot Rural LCB PI Janaksinh Rao said the gang initially intended to strike on June 17 but postponed the operation. The accused returned to Shapar on June 19, carried out a final survey during the day and executed the robbery that night.Police alleged that Vijan Mavi led the operation. They entered Jadeja’s house through adjoining fields and assaulted him during the robbery.The gang arranged a Bolero vehicle and drivers for its escape. They also stole three motorcycles from nearby to aid their getaway. One motorcycle was abandoned on Dholara Road, while two others were left near RK International Park near Hirasar Airport before the gang fled towards MP in the waiting vehicle.Police records show that Vijan Mavi has two cases of theft and robbery registered against him in Madhya Pradesh, while Rameshwar alias Pappu Machhar faces multiple cases of housebreaking, theft and robbery in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.Police said efforts are continuing to trace the remaining accused and recover the rest of the stolen valuables.
