Surat: A high-flying thief, who targets billionaires by escaping with their valuables worth several lakhs while in employment with them as their domestic help, was arrested from the city on Saturday. He escaped with jewellery and cash worth crores in the past, but in most cases was nabbed before he could sell the stolen material. In a recent case of theft, police recovered stolen material worth Rs40 lakh from him, police officials said.Police arrested Kamlesh Yadav alias Ramesh alias Jayantialal Oswal, 26, for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth Rs40 lakh from the residence of Vimal Bediya, a textile businessman. Oswal stole the jewellery from Bediya’s house within five hours of his being employed on October 24. He was employed by Bediya as he introduced himself as a native of Rajasthan from near Bediya’s hometown. Oswal was offered job since there was a housewarming function in Bediya’s residence at Althan. He started work at around 11.30am and escaped with jewellery at 4.30pm on same day.Police have recovered the jewellery from Oswal. “In the past thefts too, Oswal had failed to sell the stolen valuables. We have recovered the entire jewellery stolen by him this time as well,” said a police officer at Khatodara police station.Oswal after arriving in the city in October stayed in a hotel near railway station. He first did recce of Bediya’s new house and then introduced self as Shankar to the victim on phone. Bediya, looking for a domestic help, was told by the accused that he will send one Kamlesh Yadav to his house.Oswal was earlier arrested for five thefts carried out in 2009, 2011 and 2016 in areas under Umra police station and a theft in 2011 in an area under the limits of Mahidharpura police station. In one of the thefts, the accused had escaped with valuables worth Rs50 lakh from the residence of a developer on Ghod Dod Road. He was nabbed from Nepal border and brought to the city by air in 2016.Oswal had also once got threats issued to his employer through his links with members of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang in Mumbai, sources informed. He had once threatened a senior citizen woman at knifepoint in City Light area, but had to escape without the valuables.

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