In a significant breakthrough, the SR Nagar Police arrested two individuals involved in a mobile phone theft racket that spanned multiple police jurisdictions in Hyderabad. The police recovered 51 stolen mobile phones worth approximately Rs10.2 lakh from the suspects.
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The arrested criminals, Govind Bandari (24), alias Padma, and Hikmat Rawal (23), both Nepali nationals and employees at a fast food center, were apprehended by the SR Nagar crime team near Hitech City railway station on Wednesday. The duo was behaving suspiciously when they were intercepted by the police, who found the stolen phones in their possession.
According to police, Govind and Hikmat had been operating for the past six months, targeting hostels and bachelor’s rooms in areas like SR Nagar, Balanagar, Jeedimetla, KPHB, and Kukatpally. The criminals would scout for hostels, often during the night, and identify rooms where the occupants were asleep. Govind would then sneak into the rooms, steal mobile phones, and quickly flee the scene.
Their plan was to dispose of the stolen phones in Nepal, where they intended to sell the items for quick cash. The police have linked the duo to at least 12 theft cases reported across different localities in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Commissionerates.
The crime team launched an investigation after receiving reports of repeated mobile thefts in the area. Using local intelligence and surveillance, the police traced the suspects to Hitech City. The two were arrested on suspicion, and upon questioning, they admitted to the thefts, leading to the recovery of the stolen phones.
Both suspects had been residing in Hyderabad for the past six years. They reportedly resorted to mobile thefts as a means of easy money, preying on hostels and bachelors’ rooms that provided easy access to valuables.
