Silver ingot thief Syed Ayaz with 50 criminal cases arrested; 23.26 kg silver worth Rs 37 lakh recovered
Bengaluru: In a swift breakthrough, the Halasuru Gate police have arrested a notorious thief who stole a bag containing silver ingots worth lakhs from a jewellery trader. The accused, identified as Syed Ayaz alias Ayaz Choudhary (45), was caught within 24 hours of the crime, and police have recovered 23.26 kg of silver, valued at ₹37 lakh, from his possession.
According to police, Ayaz is a habitual offender who has been involved in more than 50 theft and robbery cases registered between 2000 and 2025 across multiple police stations including Wilson Garden, Chickpet, Cottonpet, Pulakeshinagar, Kalasipalya and Upparpet.
Despite multiple jail terms, he continued to reoffend after securing bail and was also running a tender coconut and coconut business as a cover for his criminal activities. The theft took place at Bettappa Lane in the first phase of MDP Market, Cottonpet.
Amar Nagnath Kate, owner of Ambika Sales Jewellery Shop, had handed over a 23 kg silver ingot to his son to deliver it to Vinith’s Sales Carbon Refinery shop. When the youth reached the destination, he parked his two-wheeler outside the shop, kept the bag on the footboard, and removed his helmet. In those few seconds, Ayaz swiftly stole the bag and disappeared into the busy market lanes.
Following a complaint from Amar, Halasuru Gate police formed special teams and examined CCTV footage from the area. Based on movement patterns and past criminal behaviour, Ayaz was quickly identified as the prime suspect.
Police tracked him down and arrested him within 24 hours, recovering all 49 silver ingots that had been packed inside the bag. Investigators revealed that Ayaz had been operating alone and used his knowledge of market routes and trader habits to identify potential targets.
He frequently moved around marketplaces under the guise of selling tender coconut or coconut products, enabling him to blend in without raising suspicion. Despite being arrested multiple times over two decades, Ayaz continued to return to crime immediately after release.
Police officials said more cases are likely to be linked to the accused as the investigation progresses. He has been remanded to judicial custody, and efforts are underway to determine whether he had any accomplices or receivers for the stolen silver.
The arrest has provided major relief to jewellery traders in the Cottonpet and Chickpet areas, who have long complained about thefts targeting those transporting precious metals.
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