HYDERABAD: An 11-member inter-state gang, which includes two receivers, involved in dacoities and burglaries were arrested on Wednesday. They reportedly stole a huge quantity of copper wire and other electrical material from various construction sites in the suburbs of the city.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Cyberabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar said the 11 members — Pradeep Kushwaha, Kuldeep, Madhav Singh, Dharmender Singh, Sanjay and Manish Kumar, all natives of Rajasthan, in coordination with Nihal Singh, Kuldeep, Madhav Singh, Dharmender Kumar, all from Uttar Pradesh — committed offences in the city. These 10 persons along with Vijay Kumar, a resident of Hafeezpet, were arrested on Wednesday.
Police said they recovered Rs 55 lakh worth stolen property, which includes huge quantities of copper wire bundles, panel boards and others besides a country-made pistol and an SUV vehicle from their possession.
Officials said the gang had committed dacoities and burglaries at RC Puram, Dundigal, Shankarpally and Narsingi. In the last one week, the accused had committed five offences in the suburbs.
“The accused used to approach staff of different construction companies as most of them are electricians. On the pretext of seeking employment, they used to recce the construction sites. Later, with the support of other gang members, they used to commit offences between 11pm and 3am. In some cases, the accused had overpowered and bound site watchman and other staff and threatened them with the country-made weapon while committing offences,’’ Sajjanar said.
According to police, Manish Kumar, who owns an electrical store, had bought stolen property from the accused at a cheap price.
The commissioner said they have information that most of the arrested persons have previous criminal history and they were verifying with police of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to gather more information.
Officials said the accused were nabbed based on CCTV footage in which they were found using a vehicle with Rajasthan registration number.