Photographer’s assistant among three arrested in Rs 15-lakh camera gear theft; one on the run in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: A robbery in which a professional photographer was lured to a fake birthday-party assignment and relieved of costly camera equipment has turned out to be an inside job allegedly masterminded by his own assistant photography aide, who police said hatched the plot to earn quick money and redeem a camera he had mortgaged due to financial distress.

The crime came to light on Tuesday when photographer-cum-videographer Ashok Yadav, a resident of Ranikheda village under Mal police station limits, lodged a complaint at Itaunja police station.

He alleged that he had been contacted by unknown persons for photography and videography coverage of a birthday celebration and was asked to reach near Nilansh Water Park Road around 9.30pm on Monday.

Upon reaching the spot, four men on two motorcycles allegedly intercepted his vehicle, threatened him and fled with professional equipment, including six cameras, seven lenses, two gimbals and a mobile phone. The stolen gear was estimated to be worth around Rs 15 lakh.

Assistant commissioner of police (BKT) Vikas Pandey, who supervised the investigation, said police cracked the case within hours using technical surveillance, local intelligence and interrogation of suspects.

"During preliminary questioning, it emerged that the victim's photography assistant, Rohan Sharma, had orchestrated the robbery along with his associates. Rohan was aware of the expensive equipment carried by Ashok and knew his movements and work schedule," Pandey said.

According to the ACP, Sharma worked with Yadav at photography assignments and was also employed at a stationery shop owned by the victim. Financial difficulties allegedly pushed him to plan the crime.

"The accused had mortgaged his own camera, valued at around Rs 8 lakh, and was unable to redeem it. He allegedly planned the robbery after noticing that the victim possessed several new and expensive gadgets. He believed the equipment could be sold quickly for substantial profits," Pandey said.

Police arrested three accused, Rohan Sharma, Ramanuj Mishra and Vipin Mishra, and recovered the entire stolen property. The fourth accused, identified as Vivek, remains absconding. Raids are underway to apprehend him.

Police found that the conspirators had fabricated the birthday-party booking to lure the photographer to an isolated location. Rohan allegedly passed on details of the assignment, route and equipment to his associates, who then executed the robbery.

ACP Pandey said the victim began suspecting Rohan's involvement soon after the robbery.

During the incident on the night of June 1, the assailants who intercepted their vehicle allegedly held Rohan at gunpoint but did not harm him, instead directing him to hand over all the photography equipment (which was only known to him of being carried by them).

The victim also noticed that Rohan appeared unusually calm and behaved as though he was familiar with the attackers, raising suspicions that he may have had prior knowledge of the crime.