The Division Number 1 police have arrested three persons, including a juvenile, and claimed to have solved at least 25 cases of snatchings and vehicle-lifting in the city. The police also recovered 21 stolen mobiles and two motorcycles from them.
The accused have been identified as Binderpal Singh of Lohara, Lal Bihari of Shimlapuri and their 16-year-old accomplice. The accused were arrested from near a local bus stand near the railway station following a tip-off on Thursday evening.
Commissioner of police (CP) Rakesh Agrawal said, “The accused have been committing crimes since 2012. The accused used to snatch mobile phones from commuters, especially labourers. They were more active in areas, including Gill Road, Daba and Lohara.”
He said, “The accused are drug addicts and committed crime to make money to buy drugs. The police have recovered 21 mobiles from them. A motorcycle, recovered from the accused, was stolen from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr).”
Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP, city 1) Gurpreet Singh Sikand said, “Binderpal is kingpin of the gang. His 16-year old accomplice is expert in snatchings. The juvenile was released from a juvenile home 10 days ago. Binderpal and Bihari were also lodged in jail and were granted bail a few months ago.”
The ADCP added the accused used to sell mobile phones to a barber in Shimlapuri for ₹2,500 to 3,000. The barber would sell phones to migrants for ₹3,500 to ₹4,000.
{{/usCountry}}The ADCP added the accused used to sell mobile phones to a barber in Shimlapuri for ₹2,500 to 3,000. The barber would sell phones to migrants for ₹3,500 to ₹4,000.
{{/usCountry}}A case under Sections 379-B (snatching using force) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused at Division number 1 police station. More important information is expected from the accused during questioning.