Mohali, Sept 29: In a major breakthrough, police in Mohali busted a mobile phone snatching gang with the arrest of three suspects and recovery of 20 stolen mobile phones along with a motorcycle used in the crimes.
The accused were identified as:
Sahil Kumar and Vikas Kumar, residents of Badmajra
Mohammad Monis, a resident of Balongi
They were produced in court on Sunday and remanded to police custody for further investigation.
The investigation began after Israr, a fruit vendor from Aliganj Bareilly, lodged a complaint on September 21. He reported that while he was at his stall in Mohali village, two men on a motorcycle snatched his phone and fled. Multiple similar complaints were received from the area, prompting the Phase-1 Police Station to form a special team and set up checkpoints.
Later that day, Sahil and Vikas were detained while riding a motorcycle. Interrogation led to the recovery of two snatched mobile phones and a confession. They later revealed that they had been operating with Mohammad Monis, who was subsequently arrested. He was found with three mobile phones.
The accused told police they sold the stolen devices to local contacts for Rs1,500 to Rs1,800 each, who then resold them at higher prices. They admitted that the funds were used primarily to buy drugs. All three have prior records related to drug use and physical assaults.
Police are now tracing the buyers and resellers of the stolen phones, and further arrests are expected.
