Berhampur: With the arrest of four men following a raid, Sadar police here claimed to have busted a chain snatching racket Friday.
The police also seized five gold chains weighing about 30 gm, two kg of silver ornaments, a country-made pistol, two motor-cycles and a knife from their possession, Berhampur superintendent of police Pinak Mishra told media at a presser here.
The accused have been identified as Siba Mohanty of Krishnapeta under Big Bazaar police limits, Suraj Padhi of Laxmi Nrusingha Sahi in the town, Amit Das alias Bitu of Balipada under Sadar police limits and Santosh Patra alias Babuna of Nimakhandi area.
According to the SP, as many as nine cases of chain snatching were lodged in Baidyanathpur, Gopalpur, Golanthara, Jarada, Sadar and Hinjilicut police stations in Ganjam district.
“The snatchers used to stop commuters and seek help posing as road mishap victims. At times they asked for lift from bikers on the pretext of breakdown of their vehicles. On the way, the snatchers looted their helpers and flee,” the SP said.
The gang had looted K Kedar Patra and his wife while the couple was returning from a marriage party June 25. Similarly, as many as nine persons had been looted by the gang recently.
On being directed by the SP, a special team was formed under the leadership of Sadar IIC Sibashankar Mahapatra to nab the culprits. Since then, the team was on the lookout for the accused.
Acting on a tip-off, the squad arrested the four who confessed to the crime during interrogation. The four were earlier arrested in several cases and later released from jail on bail.
“We are exploring all the angles during investigation and have identified a few more members of the gang who are on the run. Efforts are on to nab them soon,” the SP said.
PNN