In a startling revelation, Delhi police have apprehended a 40-year-old man, Rajesh Kapoor, accused of orchestrating a string of thefts aboard flights. Kapoor, dubbed as a ‘frequent flyer’ by authorities, reportedly took advantage of his extensive air travel to pilfer valuables from unsuspecting co-passengers.

According to a report in Times of India, Kapoor’s modus operandi involved targeting passengers, particularly elderly women, during connecting flights. With a staggering record of approximately 200 flights within a year, Kapoor meticulously planned his moves, exploiting the chaos of boarding and mid-air distractions to execute his thefts unnoticed.

DCP Usha Rangnani revealed that Kapoor used his deceased brother’s identity documents to book tickets and would strike either during boarding or while the aircraft was in transit. His brazen tactics included requesting seat changes to position himself near potential targets.

Kapoor’s criminal activities came to light after complaints from two passengers within a span of two months, both reporting significant losses of jewelry from their cabin bags. Following extensive investigation, which involved analyzing passenger manifests and scrutinizing CCTV footage, authorities zeroed in on Kapoor.

Despite attempts to conceal his identity by providing a fake phone number, technical surveillance led police to his location in Paharganj. Kapoor, identified as the owner of a hotel in the area, was subsequently arrested. His alleged accomplice, Sharad Jain, a jeweler based in Karol Bagh, was also apprehended for his role in disposing of stolen goods. The police suspect Kapoor’s involvement in 11 similar cases and are conducting further inquiries into his activities.