‘Fire-brand’ burglars show up again in south

South Delhi has fallen prey to a dangerous new breed of robbers. They break into houses in government colonies, make away with cash, valuables and anything they can lay their hands on, and set the house on fire before they leave.

South Delhi has fallen prey to a dangerous new breed of robbers.

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They break into houses in government colonies, make away with cash, valuables and anything they can lay their hands on, and set the house on fire before they leave.

Some even left evidence that they had made themselves comfortable by drinking tea and raiding the fridge.

There have been 17 such break-ins this year.

And the police say they have arrested members of three different gangs in the past two months.

The 17th burglary was reported on Wednesday from the East Kidwai Nagar home of a surgeon.

“I had gone to Allahabad for two days and was shocked to find the doors broken and cupboards burned when I returned. I was aware such incidents were common in my neigbourhood and had not kept any cash at home. But I never expected it to happen to me,” said Dr Ajay Dwivedi.

“It’s not just money that’s gone. Certificates and important documents like insurance policy papers, credit cards and bank passbooks were destroyed in the fire,” said Anita Bali, whose house in Laxmi Bai Nagar was burgled and set on fire on December 10.

According to the police, the arrested gang members claimed they set the fire to destroy evidence, like fingerprints. Also, many of them think it is auspicious to burn the houses.