Jeypore: The Jeypore Town Police have cracked a series of loot cases in the city, apprehending seven accused, including three juveniles, and recovering stolen cash, mobile phones, and a weapon, police said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference at the Jeypore Town Police Station, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Archita Mitali said four adult accused involved in multiple cases have been arrested and forwarded to court, while three minors have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
The arrested accused have been identified as Shiva Nayak (20) of Gopabandhu Nagar, Badal Kumar Pujari (23) of Odia Medri Sahi, Samir Gunia (21), alias Lipun, of Christian Sahi under Biju Rajnagar, and Akash Hial (19) of Gopabandhu Nagar.
According to police, the four were involved in at least five loot cases reported from different parts of Jeypore. Following their arrest, they were produced in court and remanded to judicial custody after their bail pleas were rejected. The three juveniles were sent to the Observation Home in Malkangiri.
Police said the breakthrough came following a March 8 incident, when three accused on a scooter intercepted one Nabin Santa and his grandfather near Raju Sahi while they were returning to Kandhaguda village under Kundura police limits. The accused allegedly threatened them with a knife and looted ₹4,500.
A CCTV clip of the incident, captured from a nearby house, later went viral, prompting the police to take suo motu cognizance. Within 24 hours, two accused—Shiva Nayak and Badal Kumar Pujari—along with a minor were arrested. Police seized ₹2,000 in cash, a knife, and the scooter used in the crime.
In a separate incident dated January 25, another group of accused had allegedly looted a mobile phone and cash by brandishing a knife. While some were arrested earlier, the prime accused Samir Gunia had absconded. He was later apprehended along with his associates in connection with additional loot cases, including a mobile snatching on Canal Road. Two stolen mobile phones were recovered from his possession.
Police further informed that Akash Hial had earlier been arrested in another loot case and forwarded to court.
The investigation into the cases is being carried out by Town Police Station IIC Ullas Chandra Raut, Sub-Inspector Dipak Kumar Panda, and ASI D. Prabhu Sai.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused are linked to more such incidents in the region.
