"Spider-Man" of Sikkim Arrested in Siliguri After Major Theft Case Solved in Sikkim and West Bengal

KalimNews, Siliguri, 13 November 2025: In a major breakthrough, the police have arrested a notorious thief known as "Spider-Man," who had been on the run after committing multiple burglaries in Sikkim and West Bengal. The accused, Rakesh Rai, earned his nickname due to his exceptional ability to scale walls and pipes with ease, which he used to carry out his crimes. His unique methods of theft made him a highly elusive target for law enforcement, contributing to his infamy across the region.

Rai's criminal activities had made him a household name in Sikkim, where he was linked to numerous thefts over the years. His method was simple yet effective: he would scale the walls of multi-storey buildings, often in the dead of night, and quickly descend after committing the theft, leaving no trace of his presence. His lightning-fast movements made it difficult for authorities to catch him, and his ability to avoid detection turned him into a symbol of fear for local residents.

The most recent theft that led to his arrest occurred on October 29 in West Sikkim’s Geyzing area. According to reports, the thief broke into a house, stealing gold, silver, and cash worth approximately ₹10 lakh. The stolen items included 10 grams of gold, 500 grams of silver, and ₹60,000 in cash. Following the incident, Geyzing police launched an investigation and arrested a suspect who, under questioning, revealed that Rakesh Rai was the mastermind behind the crime.

This breakthrough led police to expand their search, and with intelligence gathered from local sources, they were able to track Rai to a house in Siliguri's Milan More area. Police used mobile phone location tracking to confirm his whereabouts. The Sikkim and Siliguri police then coordinated a raid in the area. Officers in plain clothes were deployed to ensure a swift operation. Rai was arrested without resistance.

Following his arrest, Rai was handed over to the Sikkim police, who brought him back to the state. He will be presented in the Geyzing court for further legal proceedings. Investigators are now focused on recovering the stolen property and are interrogating Rai to gather further information about his previous crimes and any potential accomplices involved.

The arrest of Rai is a significant relief to the Sikkim police, who had been under pressure due to his lengthy criminal career and the series of high-profile thefts he committed. Rai, a habitual offender, has been active in Sikkim and nearby regions for many years, with a criminal record dating back to the 1990s. He had been convicted and sentenced in the past for several heinous crimes.

In a related development, the Gyalshing District Police have also successfully solved a major theft case involving gold ornaments and cash worth approximately ₹16.98 lakh. The case, which was registered on October 29 at the Gyalshing Police Station, was the result of a complaint filed by Ram Hang Limboo, an RTO officer. The investigation into this theft led to the arrest of another suspect, Zigmee Sonam Bhutia, who was found to be in possession of a portion of the stolen goods.

Through sustained intelligence gathering and technical surveillance, the police traced Rai to Siliguri, where he had been hiding after committing the crime. A special team led by PI Roshan Gurung, the Investigating Officer of the case, along with assistance from Pradhan Nagar Police, managed to apprehend Rai in Siliguri's Methibari area. Rai had been absconding since the theft and was arrested in a coordinated effort.

Rakesh Rai’s arrest marks a major success for the Gyalshing District Police, who had been working tirelessly to apprehend the elusive criminal. The arrest also serves as a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the law enforcement officers involved in the investigation. The Sikkim Police have expressed confidence that with Rai now in custody, the string of robberies attributed to him will soon come to an end, providing much-needed relief to the public.

The successful operation has been hailed by the Gyalshing SP, Nahkul Pradhan, who commended the efforts of the police team involved. Pradhan praised the professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by the officers, emphasizing the Sikkim Police's commitment to maintaining law and order. “This operation exemplifies our motto, ‘To Protect & Serve,’ and showcases our relentless pursuit of justice,” said Pradhan.

As the investigation continues, police are hopeful that they will be able to recover more stolen goods and gather further information regarding any other criminal activities Rai may have been involved in.