Double Trouble for Delhi Car Owners: Thieves Demand Advance for Returning Stolen Vehicle

New Delhi: Vehicle theft in Delhi has taken a high-tech turn, with criminals now targeting multiple cars in a single operation and demanding ransom from owners using online apps. In a bizarre incident from Krishna Nagar, Shahdara, thieves stole a car using another stolen vehicle and then contacted the owner to demand an advance payment for its return.

The Incident

Victim Pankaj Jain, a resident of Rajgarh Colony, Krishna Nagar, parked his Ertiga outside his home on Sunday night. In the early hours of Monday, thieves arrived in another car and stole his vehicle. Pankaj immediately filed an e-FIR with the police. However, within minutes of lodging the complaint, he received a call from an unknown individual claiming the car was in Haryana and demanding ₹20,000 in advance to return it. This incident highlights that modern thieves are not only stealing vehicles but are also exploiting online databases to contact owners for extortion.

Victim Takes Investigation Into Own Hands

Frustrated by the police’s delayed response, Pankaj conducted his own investigation. He reviewed CCTV footage from nearby streets, which revealed the suspects arriving in a grey Swift car, itself stolen from Kalyanpuri a day earlier. The footage showed the criminals moving both the Swift and the stolen Ertiga together.

Police Assign AATS Team

Recognizing the seriousness of the case, senior Shahdara police officials handed the investigation over to the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS), which is now working to track down the culprits.

Similar Incidents in Krishna Nagar

This is the second such case in Krishna Nagar. In August 2025, a sports bike was stolen outside a hospital and the victim was asked to pay ₹15,000 for its return. In that case, the police failed to catch the culprits, recover the bike, or trace the ransom demanders, despite the suspect’s mobile being active.

Cautionary Tale of Locksmith Theft

Another alarming case occurred in New Friends Colony, where a locksmith stole 32 tolas of gold and cash after making a duplicate key for a victim’s locker. The victim, Ramnivas Bhardwaj, discovered the theft three days later. Although the police filed an e-FIR, the victim had to personally gather CCTV evidence showing the thief riding away in Nizamuddin, after which the trail went cold.

Safety Tips for Hiring Locksmiths

Experts urge extreme caution when allowing locksmiths into homes. Always ensure that at least one family member is present at all times, do not leave them unattended, and monitor their activities carefully. Avoid giving them access to valuables or letting them move around the house unsupervised.