Gentleman Thief’ Nabbed: Corporate Look, Charter Buses, No Mobile—A Single Recharge Exposed Him

Bhopal – In a case straight out of a crime thriller, Bhopal’s Ayodhya Nagar Police have arrested a high-tech thief whose style, precision and lifestyle earned him the title of the “Gentleman Thief.” Dressed like a corporate executive, travelling only in luxury charter buses, and vanishing like a ghost after every burglary, the accused had been evading police across multiple states for years. His run finally ended after one small digital slip—a phone recharge at an MP Online kiosk.

Captured After Months of Chase

The accused, 46-year-old Vijender alias Bunty, originally from Jhajjar, Haryana and currently living in Amravati, Maharashtra, was arrested from Indore after months of technical surveillance. Police recovered stolen goods worth nearly ₹20 lakh linked to at least half a dozen major burglaries in Madhya Pradesh, including recent thefts in Bhopal’s posh Minal Residency. The recovery includes 150 grams of gold jewellery, 1 kg silver ornaments, and a stolen scooter.

A Corporate-Looking Criminal

According to SHO Mahesh Lilhare, the thief’s methods were nothing like typical burglars. Clean-shaven, well-dressed, and confident, he looked more like a corporate employee than a criminal. His professional demeanour kept suspicion at bay. “That’s why we call him the ‘Gentleman Thief’,” said the SHO.

A Nomadic Mastermind

For years, he moved from one state to another—Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, and now Madhya Pradesh—never committing burglary twice in the same city. Whenever local police began to track him, he would vanish. MP, as he admitted during interrogation, was “his first and last time” operating in the state.

The Charter Bus Strategy

The accused never travelled by train. Instead, he booked only chartered buses to avoid CCTV checks, identity verification, and luggage scanning. He carried no mobile phone to escape digital tracing. His first task on entering any new city was to steal a motorcycle or scooter. Using that vehicle, he would spend days surveying upscale colonies, monitoring guard movements, and identifying locked houses.

With the help of Google Maps on a stolen or temporary smartphone, he marked locations and executed the burglary with flawless timing.

Tools Hidden in a Single Backpack

Always seen with a large shoulder bag, he carried a complete burglary toolkit—hydraulic cutters, high-end lock-breaking devices, and even equipment to melt gold and silver. This made him entirely self-reliant, eliminating the need for accomplices or fences to sell the stolen goods.

One Recharge Gave Him Away

Despite his meticulous planning, a single mistake led to his downfall. He recharged a Haryana-based phone number from an MP Online kiosk in Bhopal. That one digital trail, combined with CCTV footage from a targeted house, helped police track his movements.

The footage was shared across a nationwide WhatsApp group of police officers. Haryana officials recognized him and shared crucial inputs. The charter bus booking made from a local phone number further strengthened the trail. Using advanced technical surveillance, the MP Police finally cornered him in Dewas and Indore.

First Arrest in MP—More Revelations Expected

This was his first arrest in Madhya Pradesh. Police believe further interrogation may uncover his involvement in several other inter-state burglaries. The SHO hailed the operation as one of the most unique manhunts in the state.