Sangrur cops bust gang of thieves, accused wanted in 12 districts

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 2

A four-member gang of thieves, active in parts of Punjab, involved in stealing cars was arrested by the Sangrur police, following a tip-off. The arrest of the gang members led to the solving of a dozen cases in 12 districts of Punjab, where the gang was active. Investigations were on to ascertain their role in similar crimes, which were yet to be linked to them.

Briefing newsmen about the case, Patiala Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar said a gang was active in many districts of Punjab, including Sangrur, Patiala, Bathinda, Barnala, Malerkotla, Khanna, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. “A special operation was planned under the supervision of Sangrur SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal and executed by SP (Investigation) Palwinder Singh Cheema and the four members were arrested,” said Bhaullar. “We have recovered two white Swifts, 70 kilos of Indian currency in coins and tools used for theft and fake number plates,” he added.

Bhullar further said the gang was involved in crimes in 12 districts of the state and would break open the shutters and steal items and valuables. “Till now we believe they were involved in over 100 such thefts, but we need to interrogate them thoroughly,” he said, adding that they had arrested Ravi, Jagsir Jagga and Mani of Ferozepur and Karamveer Ram of Malout.

“The leader of this gang was Ravi who paid around Rs 10,000 to the others for every theft, while keeping the remaining amount for himself. Ravi would involve his colleagues in the theft by luring them to build their houses. Ravi, used to deposit the money collected from the incidents in his and his wife’s bank accounts. He owns a luxurious house in Govind Enclave, Ferozepur, in the name of his brother — who already faces about 20 criminal cases,” said Sartaj Chahal.

Sangrur police have written to the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner to attach the house of the accused. “So far we have been able to trace some 32 FIRs in which this gang is involved in various districts of Punjab and their interrogation is important to ascertain their role in other crimes, too. Also we want to corroborate the claims of his gang members that Ravi used to lure them with drugs and arrange the same for them before and after every crime,” said the SSP.