Police on Wednesday arrested an eight-member inter-State gang, including four women, for alleged involvement in 17 property offences in Vizag.
DCP (Crimes) T. Ravi Kumar Murthy said ₹5.15 lakh in cash was recovered from the gang. Investigation was on to recover 450 gm of gold jewellery and ₹2.6 lakh in cash.
The arrested were identified as Mohammad Nanee ,42, his wife Md. Nazeera ,40, his son Sharif Ali ,20, and his relatives Zakir Ali, 20, Ashraf Ali, 22, Ruksana Begum, 40, Shubeda Begum, 40, and Hamseera Begam, 50—all natives of Shahapurka Mazira of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Murthy said the gang committed one offence in 2015, nine offences in 2016 and seven in 2017 in the city.
The gang was also involved in more than 20 property offences in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
Modus operandi
Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, the DCP said some members posing as passengers would travel in overcrowded buses and trains and also shared autorickshaws.
Two members would get physically close to a co-passenger and cut his or her bag using sharp small knives or blades and steal the valuables from the bags.
Based on reliable information, Inspector of Crimes (West Division) P. Suryanarayana and his team nabbed the gang near NAD Junction in the city.
The gang has allegedly confessed to stealing ₹7.75 lakh in cash and around 450 gm of gold ornaments.
However, as soon as the gang members were produced before media, they, especially women, started weeping. The members alleged that they were nabbed without any reason and said the money which was recovered from them was proceeds from the sale of one of their properties at Mordabad.
Asked about their allegations, the DCP said the accused already confessed about the crimes. He also said they have call-data records and sufficient evidence and based on that the gang members were arrested.
