Epic Chase Leads to Capture of Prolific Car Thief: Four Stolen SUVs Seized

In a high-stakes pursuit that spanned over 100 kilometers from the bustling streets of Delhi to the outskirts of Murthal in Haryana, authorities apprehended a seasoned vehicle thief implicated in a sophisticated interstate racket. The dramatic operation not only resulted in the suspect's arrest but also led to the recovery of four high-end SUVs, highlighting the ongoing battle against organized auto theft in the national capital.

The suspect, Amandeep Singh from Amritsar, Punjab, was nabbed by a coordinated team of Delhi and Haryana police forces. Officials revealed that Singh, driving a pilfered Toyota Fortuner, desperately tried to evade capture by swerving toward officers at the Murthal toll plaza, prompting a separate charge for endangering law enforcement personnel. After ditching the vehicle, he fled into nearby fields, but a meticulous hours-long search ended with his surrender.

This incident stems from a theft reported on July 29, involving a Toyota Innova Crysta vanishing from Pandav Nagar in east Delhi. Investigations pinpointed Singh as a key operative in a gang targeting premium push-button start models. Police disclosed the group's cunning technique: scouting vehicles with advanced electronic locks, snapping photos of windshield holograms containing unique codes, and forwarding them to a Dubai-based specialist. This expert would crack the security protocol and supply a override code, enabling the thieves to shatter a window, disable alarms, and flee with the car using custom gadgets.

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Singh, primarily responsible for ferrying stolen goods to Punjab for resale or dismantling, confessed during interrogation, guiding authorities to three additional vehicles hidden there: two Hyundai Cretas and a Kia Seltos. These models are among the most sought-after by thieves due to their resale value and demand in secondary markets.

Delhi has witnessed a sharp escalation in such crimes, with car thefts jumping 52% in 2025 alone, exceeding 2,500 reported incidents by mid-year according to recent police data. This surge aligns with a national trend where vehicle thefts have risen 2.5 times since 2023, with Delhi remaining the epicenter—one car stolen every 12 to 14 minutes on average.

Authorities attribute this to increasingly tech-savvy syndicates, often with international ties, as seen in multiple busts earlier this year. For instance, in May, Delhi Police dismantled an international ring orchestrated from Dubai, recovering 15 luxury vehicles and arresting several members using similar high-tech methods. Another operation in March exposed a Dubai-linked kingpin directing thefts of premium cars for export or parts.

Singh, no stranger to crime, faces charges in nine prior Delhi cases involving theft, forgery, and fraud across stations like Rani Bagh, Sagarpur, Punjabi Bagh, Naraina, Model Town, and Ambedkar Nagar, plus various online complaints for motor vehicle offenses. His capture underscores the police's intensified efforts, including enhanced surveillance and data-driven patrols, which have contributed to a slight dip in overall motor vehicle thefts by about 6% in recent annual figures despite the uptick in sophisticated heists.

As probes continue, officials anticipate uncovering more about the Dubai connection and potential accomplices, aiming to disrupt these cross-border networks that prey on urban India's growing fleet of luxury automobiles.

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