37-year-old man arrested in Delhi with 52 stolen mobile phones

Delhi Police have arrested a 37-year-old mathematics graduate from Raghubir Nagar, West Delhi, for allegedly stealing and selling more than 50 mobile phones, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Pramod Kumar Gupta, completed his mathematics degree from a government institute in Ghonda, Uttar Pradesh, in 2013. Despite receiving training in mobile phone repair in 2020, Gupta turned to selling stolen phones in Delhi and Haryana to make quick money, a police officer revealed.

“Gupta, a resident of Sonipat, Haryana, had a prior criminal record. During the arrest, police recovered 52 stolen or snatched mobile phones and 15 cell phone motherboards from his possession,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer.

According to police, they received a tip-off on March 6 about a man attempting to sell a large number of stolen mobile phones in Raghubir Nagar. Acting on the information, a team set up a trap near NWB Chowk Road. Around 12:30 am on March 7, Gupta was spotted carrying a backpack filled with mobile phones.

Also Read: Delhi Police recovers over 450 stolen mobile phones worth Rs 1 crore

When officers signalled him to stop, he tried to flee but was caught after a brief chase. Upon searching his bag, police found 52 mobile phones of various brands and 15 motherboards. Gupta was unable to provide any proof of ownership for the devices, police said.

“At least two of the recovered phones have been linked to theft cases registered at Khyala and Hari Nagar police stations,” DCP Veer added.

Gupta, whose father works as a commission agent, is married and has two children, the officer said. Investigations are ongoing to identify more potential victims and uncover further details of his activities.

(With inputs from PTI)