Inter-state robbery gang caught in Haryana by Vijayawada police; gold worth Rs 90 lakh seized

Central Crime Station (CCS) police formed ten teams and caught two members of the gang that had stolen from different parts of AP as well as from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Gold ornaments recovered from the gang displayed during a press conference in Vijayawada (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

VIJAYAWADA: Two members of an inter-state robbery gang were arrested in Haryana by the Vijayawada Central Crime Station (CCS).

The gang was involved in eight robbery cases within city police limits and eight more in other parts of the state.

Ten teams of the CCS police travelled to Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir and spent more than three months looking for the offenders. During the investigation, the police found out that a share of money looted was used in politics to receive protection.

From the two arrested gang members, the police recovered gold ornaments worth Rs 90 lakh.

However, gang leader Satpal Singh and two other members are still at large, said the police.

Presenting the arrested before the media at Operation Command and Control, joint city police commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata said the arrested, Preethpal Taakran (33) from Gurgaon and Rajeev Soni (35) from Pilani, Rajasthan, were key members of the inter-state housebreaking gang that was operated by Satpal Singh. The gang committed eight crimes in Vijayawada and eight more in Kurnool, Anantapur, Guntur and Nellore districts.

The gang had also committed similar crimes in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka. “In 2017, the gang broke into a house at the Postal Colony and in 2018, at various places in the city. Taking this as a challenge, we identified the accused with the help of CCTV footages and collected details from hotels where the gang members stayed and airports,” Rana explained.

During the investigation, it was found that Saptal Singh led a high profile lifestyle and travelled in flight and carried firearms. More than 30 cases were filed against the gang. “The gang even went on vacations with their families. They have killed many people while robbing houses,” Rana said.

Explaining the gang’s modus operandi, Rana said, “They chose buildings with less security and entered as visitors. They broke into locked apartments using a special tool designed by them. They gave money to local political leaders to gain support and even had hired a lawyer,” he said, adding that teams have been formed to nab Satpal Singh, Parminder and Jitendar, who are absconding.