New Delhi: A 32-year-old man with an MPhil in Chemistry from Delhi University has been arrested for allegedly using his academic knowledge to craft smoke bombs during a string of robberies, including two armed jewellery heists in Delhi’s Model Town area and a bank robbery in Bihar.

The accused, Deep Shubham, originally from Sitamarhi in Bihar and currently residing in Sohna, Haryana, was arrested by Delhi Police following a tip-off. According to officials, he is a proclaimed offender in two robbery cases and had previously been convicted for a bank robbery in Bihar, in which he used a homemade smoke bomb made from methyl acetate and benzine.

Despite holding a BSc (Hons), MSc, and MPhil in Chemistry from Delhi University, Shubham allegedly turned to crime due to financial struggles. He had even briefly pursued a law degree in Visakhapatnam before dropping out.

In 2017, he and his associates carried out a daring bank robbery in Bihar's Pupri area, using a smoke bomb to create chaos and escape with Rs 3.6 lakh in cash. The use of chemicals in the robbery, police said, showcased his deep understanding of chemical reactions and compounds.

In 2021, Shubham allegedly participated in two armed robberies at jewellery shops in Gujranwala Town, northwest Delhi. In one incident, the gang looted over Rs 6 lakh and mobile phones at gunpoint, while in another, they escaped with Rs 70,000 after threatening the staff.

After securing bail in the Delhi cases, Shubham went underground and frequently changed locations to evade arrest. He was finally nabbed by police in Hari Nagar, Sohna, where he had been working as an interior designer in a private firm.

The Delhi Police are now coordinating with the Bihar Police and conducting a deeper investigation into his past crimes and possible associates.