Three mobile snatchers land in police net

Noida: Three men with over a dozen snatching cases registered against them across NCR were arrested on Dadri main road after a gunfight with the police on Wednesday.
Sandeep, alias Lucky (28), Sonu, alias Chatni (32), and Shamshad (28), suspected members of a gang involved in snatching mobile phones, motorcycles, and other valuables, were injured during the encounter.The police seized 62 smartphones, a bike, and a pistol from them, officials said.
"Officials from the Phase 2 police station and the Crisis Response Team (CRT) were conducting regular checks around Dadri when the suspects, riding a motorcycle without license plates, approached from Banghel. They attempted to flee towards Kakrala when the officers signalled them to stop," said Shakti Mohan Avasthy, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Central Noida.
The DCP added that the officers chased the suspects and alerted the Kakrala police station.
"The suspects opened fire while trying to evade the police but were injured when the officers retaliated. Shamshad initially fled, but Sandeep and Sonu were apprehended near Kakrala Pushta. Shamshad was later captured after police teams searched the area," said DCP Avasthy.
According to the officer, during the preliminary inquiry, the suspects confessed to not only stealing mobile phones, motorcycles, and other valuables in the NCR but also smuggling liquor into the region.
Sonu, alias Chatni, revealed during interrogation that he had previously sold weight-gain powders and pastes but switched to snatching to make quick money.
"The suspects have allegedly been active for five to six years. Out of the 62 phones recovered, nine have been linked to cases in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi," said DCP Avasthy.
Further investigations and legal proceedings are underway, police said.