Puri: Police have arrested the members of a chain snatching gang, belonging to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in Odisha’s Puri town.
Speaking to media persons on the arrest on Monday, additional SP of Puri Mihir Panda said all 12 members of the gang had come from the two outside states and were staying in a guest house at Gachhakali Lane under Puri Town police station since Saturday.
They had planned to stay for a week and snatch at least 50 necklaces from the devotees who turn up in large number to visit Jagannath temple during Akhasy Tritiya. On Sunday, three chain snatching cases were filed at Singhadwar police station.
Following this, the police team deployed inside the Jagannath temple to keep watch on the anti-socials was activated and started investigation led by IICs of Town and Singhadwar police stations. “The team scrutinised the footage from the CCTV cameras installed around the temple and meticulously tracked the snatchers. After zeroing in on the 12 members of the gang, the police arrested them,” said Panda.
He further said the chains looted from the devotees, 12 mobile phones and Rs 28,000 in cash have been seized from the possession of the arrested persons.
During interrogation, the gang members revealed that they indulge in chain snatching in crowded religious places across the country on different festivals. Further investigation is on to ascertain the link of the gang with their members in other states, Panda said.
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