Ghaziabad: A 24-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly breaking into a temple near the Tigri roundabout and stealing brass idols and other articles. The entire stolen property was recovered from the suspect, police said.The incident came to light after a resident, Suraj Shukla, lodged a complaint at Crossings Republic police station on Sept 2. He stated that a person broke the lock of the Shani temple near Tigri roundabout in the early hours of Wednesday and fled with several idols and valuables.A case was registered under sections 305 (d) (theft in a dwelling house, or means of transportation or place of worship, etc) and 331(4) (punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking) of BNS. Investigators then examined CCTV footage from the area and gathered information through local sources. This led them to the suspected offender, who was arrested later the same day.The accused, Danish, is a resident of Radhakunj Colony in Noida Sector 123. Acting on a tip-off, a police team intercepted and arrested him near a sewage treatment plant in Crossings Republic.Police recovered two large brass idols, two small brass idols, a large brass mace, two pairs of copper padukas, three brass lotas, five brass lamps and a temple bell. The seized items are valued at roughly Rs 2.5 lakh, police said.During questioning, Danish allegedly confessed to the crime. He told investigators that he targeted the temple while scouting for theft opportunities and was on his way to sell the goods. Police subsequently added Section 317(2) (stolen property) of BNS for handling stolen property.Police records showed that Danish had three other cases registered against him. He is named in a theft case and a case under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act registered at Noida Sector 113 police station. Another case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act is registered against him at Noida Sector 49 police station. Police said his remaining criminal antecedents are being verified.
