2 local gang members held for theft in New Delhi

Two people who were part of a gang, which allegedly hypnotised people, especially the elderly, and posed as policemen to rob them were arrested on Friday, the police said.

Two people who were part of a gang, which allegedly hypnotised people, especially the elderly, and posed as policemen to rob them were arrested on Friday, the police said.

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The arrested have been identified as Sartaz Ali, 50, and Sheru Hussain, 35, both from Thane, said HGS Dhaliwal, deputy commissioner of police (South), said.

They mainly targeted senior citizens and women who would be roaming near markets and parks alone.

They allegedly robbed a retired principal in Malaviya Nagar on February 18.

They would pose as policemen and tell the victim that the area they lived in is crime prone.

“They would give the victim a polythene bag to keep the jewellery and other valuable items in it. They carried another polythene bag with them and would cleverly change the bags without the victim noticing it," he said.

“All the gang members are from Mumbai and used to come to Delhi twice a month by air and would stay in hotels at Nizzamuddin and Pahar Ganj areas. They would bring their motorcycles from Mumbai by train,” he added.

After committing crimes in Delhi, the gang would go back to Mumbai by air except Sartaz and another member.

“Sartaz would go back to Mumbai by train with the stolen articles and also take back their motorcycles by train,” he said.

The duo was arrested in Madangiri following a tip-off.