LUCKNOW: The absconding masterminds of the Aliganj loot, Saurabh Patel, and Rahul Kumar, run a gang and plan their strikes meticulously, said police after arresting two accused on Thursday.
During interrogation, the arrested accused Harsh Singh and Rudra Sharma revealed that almost 80% of the booty is with the masterminds.
A senior crime branch officer privy to the probe disclosed that Saurabh and Rahul are also wanted for the loot at jewellery shop in Ashiana on March 8. The gang had looted 500 gram gold ornaments and 10 kg silver ornaments from the jewellery store at Ashiana while holding the owner and his son hostage.
“During interrogation, the two revealed that Saurabh and Rahul operate a gang and target jewellery shops only,” he added.
Saurabh and Rahul work as building contractors and come across many people and co-opt those in dire need or seeking financial assistance,” the official said.
They recruit those who are needy and give them just 25% of the booty and flee with the rest to Nepal. They choose and target shops which don’t have elaborate security cover, he added. “They are discreet and take a different team for every loot,” said another official.
Saurabh and Rahul instructed the recruits not to open fire during loots except when in grave threat, said police. “In Aliganj loot, the masterminds opened fire at Shrawan as they had got heavy booty and did not want to leave it behind,” said an officer privy to the probe.
