The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB), Vadodara, has detained one Prakash Bind, a professional thief under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act, for repeatedly making attempts to organise thefts in the city.

In six separate raids at locations with Makarpura GIDC, which started in November and ended last month, the police have found stolen goods worth Rs 31,700, which includes bottles of expensive shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, buckets, cases of linseed oil, mirrors, a television set and three bicycles.

“Bind managed to get bail, but he did not stop playing his game,” said a senior DCB official. “He is one thief who doubles up as vegetable or fruit seller in Makarpura in the day. But underneath his cart, one would find all kinds of tools used for robbery,” he added.

“In the day, with his cart, Bind would inspect the localities and shopping complexes, while at night, armed with a crowbar, he would break the shutters and loot whatever he found inside,” he added.

“We cannot claim that all thefts were planned by him. But he looted quite a few places and later, sold the goods in the rural areas and earned a good profit,” added the official.