Rayagada: In a major breakthrough, Rayagada police have arrested 12 members of an inter-district robbery gang involved in a series of theft and loot cases that had been troubling the district for several months.
The police also recovered a significant quantity of gold, silver, vehicles, mobile phones and tools used in the crimes.
District Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad shared the details at a press conference held at the district police office on Tuesday.
Officers from Rayagada, Kashipur, Tikiri, Chandili, Gunupur and other police stations, along with the SDPOs of Rayagada, Gunupur and Bissamcuttack, were present.
According to the SP, the gang systematically targeted locked or vacant houses after conducting detailed reconnaissance of the owners’ movements, CCTV cameras, vehicles and property. They broke locks and committed thefts. Finding it difficult to sell the stolen gold openly, the accused melted the ornaments with the help of a goldsmith in their group to change their form. They then either pledged the gold at various gold loan institutions and banks to avail loans or sold it at lower prices.
A special team comprising the Intelligence wing, Cyber unit and Special Raid Team was formed under the direct supervision of the SP. The investigation gained momentum after two major incidents — theft from the Ramanaguda police station area on July 25 and theft of gold ornaments from the Doraguda police station area on August 1. Using technical expertise and intelligence inputs, the police zeroed in on the gang members.
Police seized approximately 80 grams of gold, 581 grams of silver, 34.75 grams of melted gold and about 125.76 grams of gold ornaments that had been pledged at finance institutions, 12 mobile phones, three cars — Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (OD 02F 9009), Chevrolet (WB 06G 8865) and Bolero Neo (OD 18N 1297). Besides, one Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle has been seized.
Tools used for breaking locks (crowbar, screwdriver), a gas cylinder used for melting gold, a gold weighing machine and other equipment have also been seized from their possession.
The 12 arrested persons are Dasmanta Nayak (27), Bishnu Harpal (29), Prashant Jhodia (30), Daitari Nayak (30), Bipin Nayak (30), Narahari Nayak (24), Babula Nayak (37), Basantara Kartik (29), Aju @ Dillip Palai (39), Shiva Shankar Nayak (24), Basant Benia (23) and Mangulu Nag (25).
Police said further investigation is underway to unearth more cases linked to the gang.
