Police have arrested a 55-year-old man accused of posing as a water purifier mechanic to carry out a series of robberies in northwest Delhi, particularly in the areas of Keshav Puram and Pitampura over the past few weeks.
The accused, identified as Ajay Bagga, a resident of Model Town, was arrested following two violent incidents that reportedly involved a butcher-style knife and an axe-like weapon. The incidents caused panic among local residents and gained widespread attention after CCTV footage circulated on social media.
The viral footage allegedly showed Bagga wearing a cap and carrying a blue bag while arguing with a resident outside a house and attempting to gain entry before moving toward another residence.
According to police, the first incident took place on April 21 in Pitampura. The complainant stated that Bagga, who had reportedly been known to the family for nearly nine years, visited the house claiming he wanted to meet the victim’s father. After entering the house and asking for water, he allegedly attacked the complainant.
Police said the accused confined the victim inside the house, demanded money and later escaped. The complainant alleged that cash and gold jewellery worth nearly ₹4 lakh were stolen during the incident.
In the second case, reported on May 8 in Keshav Puram, a woman alleged that a man posing as an RO mechanic entered her residence and threatened her with a weapon. Police said the woman resisted and raised an alarm, forcing the accused to flee after discarding the weapon in a nearby park.
Akanksha Yadav said investigators analysed CCTV footage, conducted technical surveillance, carried out local enquiries and searched more than 50 hotels while tracking the suspect’s movements.
Police later traced Bagga to Model Town, where he was apprehended.
