Man learns heist from Netflix film, steals ₹7 lakh:Cuts 9 locks at post office with grinder; searched ‘best time for robbery’ on Google

In a heist at the main post office near Sailana bus stand in Ratlam, a 28-year-old man named Amrit Singh, son of Vikramsingh Solanki from Binoli village, broke nine locks with a grinder cutter and stole approximately ₹7.5 lakh. The theft, carried out in the early hours of August 28, left the local police baffled by the meticulous planning and execution. The accused was later apprehended after an intensive investigation that involved scanning over 1,000 CCTV cameras, technical teams, and on-ground intelligence. Read the full report.. Methodical entry and escape Amrit entered the post office premises at 3:23 AM by jumping over the boundary wall. Using a battery-operated electric grinder, he cut three locks on the channel gate, two locks on the main gate, and four locks on the treasury gate. When he could not access the interlock of the treasury, he cut the window grill and entered inside. At 4:26 AM, he exited the premises in the same manner, carrying the money in a bag slung over his back. To mislead authorities, he walked to platform number 4 of the Ratlam railway station via Sailana bus stand and took an auto to the post office area before retrieving his bike from the nearby children’s hospital. The theft was carried out while the night watchman, Harchand, was asleep. The watchman reported the broken main gate locks at 5:45 AM. CCTV footage captured a person in a raincoat, with his face covered, moving inside the treasury, cutting locks, and jumping over the boundary wall with a bag. Sparks from the grinder and a crowbar left at the gate were also visible on CCTV. Technical evidence leads to breakthrough The police immediately involved the FSL team and dog squad, with SP Amit Kumar, ASP Rakesh Khakha, and other senior officers leading the investigation. Multiple CCTV cameras across Ratlam city and surrounding areas were examined to track the thief’s movement. It was found that he had left the scene via the railway station and reached his village Binoli without being captured on camera, prompting suspicions that he was a local resident. The breakthrough came when the police observed Amrit wearing the same raincoat at a village feast in Arniyapitha Mandi, Jaora, the day after the theft. Matching the stripes on the raincoat and the bike captured on CCTV with those seen at the crime scene, investigators confirmed his identity. Amrit was apprehended shortly after. Planning inspired by movies and internet research During interrogation, Amrit revealed that financial stress and family obligations prompted him to commit the theft. He is a BCA graduate with permanent residence in Binoli village. His mother is sick, and the family was in debt, including two bighas of land mortgaged with his uncle. Initially contemplating suicide, he decided instead to plan a robbery. He admitted watching robbery-themed films such as Jewel Thief and the web series Money Heist on OTT platforms. He also researched theft strategies and legal consequences on YouTube. Amrit meticulously planned the theft for three months, initially considering a bank but abandoning it due to strong security. Familiar with the post office’s layout and cash due to his own account, he believed it would be easier to steal from the treasury there. Execution with precision Amrit’s theft plan involved detailed premeditation. During the day, he roamed the city to familiarise himself with the surroundings. At night, he wore a raincoat, took a crowbar and grinder, and left on a bike. He entered the post office by jumping the boundary wall and avoided the watchman. After cutting all necessary locks, he retrieved the cash from the treasury box but could not access a cupboard inside containing over ₹50 lakh. Amrit’s movements after the theft were carefully designed to mislead the police. He traveled on foot through alleys, used an auto to reach the children’s hospital, and took his bike from there before heading home. By analysing CCTV cameras at city entry points and questioning auto drivers, police traced him back to Ratlam district. Assistance from family and recovery of cash At Amrit’s house, his wife Anita Solanki (22) and sister Papita (22) initially feigned ignorance about the theft. The stolen money was hidden in multiple locations: under the bed, in clothing, and in a box. Female police officers recovered the cash during a search. All three, including the wife and sister, have been made accused and sent to jail. Technical and human intelligence The Ratlam police created a route map of the thief’s movements, deployed four teams, and examined over 1,000 CCTV footages from Ratlam to Jaora. Investigators also deployed informers and plainclothes officers in Binoli village. Footprints, the recovered crowbar, and grinder aided in confirming the suspect’s actions. SP Amit Kumar stated that technical teams were integral in tracking Amrit and recovering evidence, leading to his arrest within 72 hours of the theft. Amrit confessed that the primary motivation was debt and financial stress. His family’s difficulties included his mother’s illness and the wife’s blood deficiency. He knew how to operate a grinder due to his experience in farming and purchased the battery-operated grinder online for ₹7,000. The theft was planned with extreme attention to detail, including CCTV avoidance and misdirection tactics. He admitted to researching the optimal time for theft and the severity of legal punishment if caught. Amrit claimed that observing movies and web series helped him design a strategy for a successful heist without being apprehended immediately. Community and prior incidents Amrit also revealed that prior to the post office theft, he had interactions with local criminals and had participated in minor thefts, including stealing a buffalo, though those incidents were resolved locally. Police are investigating his links with the Kanjar community and whether there were other accomplices. Recovery and legal proceedings Police recovered all the stolen cash and equipment used in the theft, including the grinder and bike. The post office superintendent, along with SP Amit Kumar, ASP Rakesh Khakha, and CSP Satyendra Ghanghoria, coordinated the investigation, ensuring that evidence was properly collected and documented. Police statement The police pointed out the importance of CCTV surveillance, technical investigation, and coordination between multiple teams to resolve complex theft cases. SP Amit Kumar stated that the accused was caught within 72 hours due to a combination of CCTV analysis, technical support, and on-ground intelligence. ​