KOLKATA: The mastermind behind the snatching gang that had left residents of New Town terrorized over the past two weeks was arrested by Bidhannagar cops on Wednesday. Police said a hunt was on to nab three of his associates who used to move around in a bike and a scooter and had robbed at least three elderly morning walkers and women returning from local markets over the last two weeks.
Md Shaban, a history sheeter involved in multiple incidents of snatching under Kolkata Police jurisdiction, was picked up by New Town police from the Hata Mohalla area in Garden Reach. He was produced before a Barasat court and was remanded in police custody. Cops suspect the men have already sold the stolen ornaments and are now trying to nab the buyer and recover the booty.
Two homemakers were robbed of their gold chains on Sunday morning at BC and DE blocks in New Town by two men. A week before that, another homemaker returning from morning walk had lost her chain in the same manner.
“In the BC Block incident, we managed to find a clear visual where the registration number of the bike was visible. Based on that and acting on information, we arrested Shaban from Garden Reach,” said an officer.
The arrest has come as a welcome relief for New Town residents. “I could realise that the miscreants had studied the movement of my wife for a few days before attacking her. The incident had left us shocked. I am glad that they have been arrested quickly,” said Dwijen Bag, whose wife was robbed of a gold chain last Sunday.
