28 nabbed for snatchings, thefts in 2 weeks

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 17

In a special drive against snatchers and thieves, the police zone 1 of the city police today claimed that it had arrested 28 snatchers and thieves in 15 days and recovered 67 mobile phones and 13 motorcycles from them.

ADCP 1 Pragya Jain and ACP Waryam Singh addressed a press meet in this regard.

“From June 1 to June 15, the Police Zone 1 had launched a special drive against gangs of snatchers and thieves. With the arrest of the 28 accused, we have solved 75 cases of snatching and theft. We are still questioning some of the nabbed accused. More recovery of mobile phones or other looted valuables could be made,” the ADCP said.

Jain said some of the snatchers and motorcycle thieves were repeated offenders as they again started commiting the crime after coming out of jail on bail.

The ADCP revealed that 13 snatchers and thieves were arrested by the Basti Jodhewal police followed by six by the Police Division 2, four by the Salem Tabri police, three by the Police Division 1 and 2 by the Daresi police.

The ADCP said now, those persons who had bought snatched mobile phones or stolen vehicles would also face action and many of such persons were already been identified. They would soon face action. Most of the nabbed miscreants were drug addicts. They used to sell snatched cell phones and stolen bikes to buy drugs.

As per the police, in most of the cases, snatchers had targeted daily wagers and migrant laboures.

“We will find real owners of the recovered mobile phones and the same will be handed over to them. The recovered motorcycles will also be handed over to their owners, “said a police official.

Criminals out on bail under scanner: ADCP

ADCP Pragya Jain said in maximum cases, the nabbed snatchers and thieves are repeated offenders. After coming out of jail on bail, they again start committing crimes. Now, to stop such repeated offenders from committing crime, all police stations have been told to keep a tab over their activities when they come out of jail on bail.