‘Helmet gang’ strikes again in New Chandigarh, targets two high-profile homes

Dr Ridhi said their gardener discovered the break-in. “He called to say the outer lock was broken and the house was ransacked. We immediately dialled 112 and the PCA team arrived, took photographs and said a team from the police station would investigate. But even after four days, no officer has visited for a proper inquiry,” she alleged.

The family themselves scanned nearby CCTV cameras and found a clear footage of two men using iron rods to break locks at 2.30 and leave around 3:15 am. They estimate the total loss at around Rs 1.2 lakh. “My wife and father-in-law filed a written complaint, but police only kept a copy, saying there was no DDR register available. They promised to register it later, but today is the 16th and nothing has been done,” Dr Saurabh added.

The same night, at 4:05 am, the helmet-wearing duo attempted a break-in at another Block D house no 3331. Puneet’s house, CCTV footage shows them scaling a boundary wall and trying to pry open the door with iron rods, but the occupants raise the alarm shouting “chor, chor” (thief, thief), forcing the burglars to flee at 4.13 am.

ASI Dalwinder Singh, who received Dr Ridhi’s complaint, admitted, “We are searching for the suspects, but the helmets make identification difficult. I will discuss with the SHO to get the complaint formally registered soon.”

SHO Amandeep Tarika confirmed, “One house was burgled and another had an attempted theft. We are reviewing CCTV footage. The delay in registering the FIR was due to my deployment at the India–Australia cricket match, but we will file the FIR shortly and nab the accused.”

Residents, however, remain anxious, accusing the police of dragging their feet while the “Helmet Gang” continues to prowl New Chandigarh.