Scrap vendor arrested for murder, 22 thefts

Rajkot: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) has arrested a 32-year-old scrap vendor for a murder and series of thefts across the city. The accused Naresh Solanki was arrested from his house in Kubaliyapara locality. Solanki has confessed to his involvement in 22 thefts, police said.
"Solanki was arrested two years ago for thefts. We suspected his involvement in other crimes too," said D S Bhatt, additional commissioner of police, Rajkot city.
Regarding the murder case, police said Solanki had entered a house in Bapunagar on July 19 to steal. However, the owner Khatijaben (60) woke up and saw him. Before she could shout for help, Solanki smashed her head with a stone and fled. She died on the spot. A complaint of murder was lodged by the woman's kin Husseinsha Gulabsha Shahmadar, resident of Jangleshwar.
"During questioning, Naresh confessed to killing the woman," Bhatt said.
Hitesh Gadhvi, police inspector, DCB, said, "Solanki committed 22 thefts in the city in the last 18 months. He used to conduct a recce of various places where he went to collect scrap. He mostly carried out thefts at factory units on Wednesdays when most factories observe a holiday."
Police seized stolen items and cash totaling to Rs 2.3 lakh which include gold jewellery worth Rs 24,000, six LED televisions worth Rs 84,000, copper wires worth Rs 22,500 and Rs 1 lakh cash from his house.
The murder case will be probed by the Bhaktinagar police station.