Hyderabad: Jadcherla police arrested an Interstate bus theft gang involved in a series of thefts targeting passengers on crowded buses and seized around 10 tolas of gold ornaments and a Kia Carens car used in the crimes.
Mahabubnagar DSP Venkateshwarlu announced the arrests during a press conference at Jadcherla Police Station on Tuesday. Town CI Kamalakar and SI K. Mallesh also attended the briefing.
Police identified the accused as Sandeep, Ashok, Praveen, Rajesh, Sunil Kumar and Sachin, all from Haryana. Officials said Sandeep led the gang, while Sachin worked as the driver. Police described several accused as habitual offenders.
According to investigators, the Interstate bus theft gang boarded crowded buses as passengers and targeted women or travellers carrying gold in bags. The accused allegedly created confusion among passengers before cutting bags with sharp blades or opening zips to steal ornaments.
Interstate bus theft gang targeted bus passengers
Police said the gang escaped from moving buses and fled in a car after committing thefts.
Officials said the gang stole gold from a woman’s bag near Netaji Chowrasta in Jadcherla on May 7 before escaping towards Kurnool. In another case on May 18, the accused allegedly followed passengers arriving in an auto at Jadcherla bus stand and stole gold near the flyover after cutting a bag.
On Tuesday, SI K. Mallesh and police personnel noticed the suspects near Jadcherla bus stand during vehicle inspections. The accused allegedly tried to escape after spotting police. However, officers caught them and recovered the stolen gold ornaments.
Police arrested all six accused and shifted them to judicial remand.
DSP Venkateshwarlu said District SP D. Janaki appreciated the police team for solving the cases and arresting the Interstate bus theft gang.
He also advised passengers to remain alert while travelling on buses and protect their valuables from thieves.