Two juveniles detained for stealing Rs 60 lakh

Two juveniles have been detained for allegedly running off with nearly Rs 60 lakh from a businessman's car after distracting his attention, the police said on Monday. HT reports.

Two juveniles have been detained for allegedly running off with nearly Rs 60 lakh from a businessman's car after distracting his attention, the police said on Monday.

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The juvenile duo - part of the infamous 'Tyre Puncture Gang' that operates in several locations across the National Capital Region - was apprehended following investigations into the incident reported from Uttar Pradesh on May 3, said BS Jaiswal, DCP (south).

"We apprehended the accused from near the trauma centre at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday. They had stolen Rs 60 lakh from the car of one Mridul Jain, a businessman, after intercepting and stopping his driver near Modi Nagar in Ghaziabad. Of the stolen money, Rs 50 lakh has been recovered," said DCP Jaiswal.

The police stated that the duo told Jain's driver that the car's tyre had deflated and oil was leaking from the vehicle.

When Jain and the driver stepped out to investigate, the juvenile accused fled with the bag containing Rs 60 lakh.

The police claimed that the gang had a vast network throughout the NCR and was involved in several cases of bag-lifting and theft.

"After identifying a target, usually at a traffic signal, the gang members puncture the tyre by throwing a sharp-edged instrument on the road," said DCP Jaiswal.

"The gang members then follow the victim and inform the driver about the deflated tyre. When the occupants of the vehicle step out, one of the gang members would steal the bag while others pretend to help," he added.

Meanwhile, the police are trying to extract information from the duo to trace their accomplices, besides ascertain their involvement in similar cases.