‘Master Thief’ Arrested in Delhi: Woman Used Guard Dogs and NBFC Lockers to Hide Crores Worth of Stolen Gold
In a dramatic operation that felt more like a scene from a crime thriller, a team of Delhi Police officers finally caught a woman they describe as a “master thief” — someone who had managed to evade arrest for nearly 17 years.
On Wednesday, seven policemen from Delhi Police’s Shalimar Bagh police station reached a four-storey house in Rohini Sector 11.
The property belonged to Sonia, 45, who lived there with her mother and sister. She had long been on the police radar, accused in multiple cases of high-value gold theft — including a recent ₹1.5 crore heist in Shalimar Bagh.
Officers had prepared themselves for resistance — locked doors, family interference, or even hired guards. But what they encountered instead was unexpected and chaotic: a pack of 15 aggressive dogs guarding the house.
There were three Pitbulls, four American Bullies, and several hybrid breeds, strategically placed across all four floors. As soon as the police team entered the premises, two dogs lunged at them.
Some officers managed to push forward to the first floor, only to face more dogs blocking their path.
According to one officer, Sonia had deliberately positioned the animals throughout the house — not just as protection, but also to delay any potential police entry. It was a calculated move, designed to buy her time.
The investigation into Sonia began after a complaint was filed on April 19 by a businessman, Vijay Pal Gupta.
He reported that his domestic help — Sonia herself — had disappeared along with all the gold jewellery from his home.
Having worked there for a couple of months, she had carefully observed where valuables were stored.
On a Sunday, when the family was away, she used a spare key to enter and carry out the theft.
Police believe this was not an isolated incident. In fact, Sonia had allegedly carried out at least three major thefts in northwest Delhi in just the past eight months — including a ₹2 crore jewellery theft in Shalimar Bagh last October and another worth ₹60 lakh in Maurya Enclave.
Tracking her down wasn’t particularly difficult once the complaint was filed. CCTV footage near Gupta’s house helped investigators trace her movements directly to her Rohini residence.
When officers finally managed to get past the dogs and enter her bedroom, they found Sonia hiding under multiple quilts.
“For some reason, she thought she wouldn’t be seen,” an officer said, almost amused by the moment.
What surprised investigators even more was her method of handling the stolen gold. Unlike typical thieves,
Sonia did not immediately sell the jewellery. Instead, she stored it in lockers with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), using it as collateral to secure loans — effectively turning stolen assets into a steady financial resource.
Since her first reported theft in 2008 in West Delhi, she is believed to have opened around 15 such lockers, collectively holding more than 2 kilograms of gold.
Police have already begun coordinating with NBFC officials, as these institutions typically conduct background checks before issuing loans. Authorities are now examining how such large quantities of pledged gold went unnoticed.
Sonia’s lifestyle also reflects the scale of her alleged crimes. Over the years, she invested in multiple properties in Rohini, including houses and flats worth crores.
According to senior officers, steps are now underway to seize these assets as part of the ongoing investigation.
As for the dogs, Sonia reportedly told police she began acquiring them over the past five years, as her wealth — and perhaps her need for security — grew.
After nearly two decades of staying under the radar, Sonia has finally been arrested.
For now, the woman once considered elusive remains in custody, while investigators continue to piece together the full extent of her operations.
