Noida Police arrested four men for their alleged involvement in a mobile phone theft ring, recovering 20 stolen Android smartphones worth an estimated Rs2.5–3 lakh, along with four knives and two motorcycles used in the crimes.
The accused were identified as Akash (21) from Sector 66, Prashant alias Joblin (20) from Sector 24, Vansh (19) from Phase 1, and Ajay alias Sinchoon (22) from Phase 3. They were apprehended by Phase-1 police during a routine patrol, according to Hirdesh Kathariya, Additional DCP, Central Noida.
“Akash is the mastermind of the group,” said ADCP Kathariya. “The gang mainly targets women, snatching phones in busy markets or stealing them from bags. They’ve been active for nearly two years.”
The investigation also revealed that a shopkeeper in Phase-3 had been helping the gang resell the stolen phones. Police said the shopkeeper has been identified and will be arrested soon.
The gang operated primarily in crowded areas across the NCR region, focusing on quick snatch-and-escape tactics, often on motorcycles. They sold the stolen phones at low prices for quick profits.
Police confirmed that all four accused are repeat offenders, and efforts are underway to trace their full network.
