New Delhi, May 29: The Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has successfully dismantled an inter-state gang involved in the theft of mobile phones during IPL matches, arresting four suspects in the process. Authorities also recovered 15 stolen high-end phones from the gang.
This operation was led by Inspector Gurmeet Singh, with close guidance from ACP Sunil Srivastava. A dedicated team from the Eastern Range-I of the Delhi Crime Branch targeted an organized gang that had been stealing expensive mobile phones from spectators at IPL match venues across various states.
The operation, executed by Ritu Raghav of the Eastern Range-I, resulted in the arrest of four active gang members and the recovery of several premium mobile phones. The gang primarily targeted audiences during IPL matches and was apprehended near Delhi’s Singhu Border. Among the recovered items were nine iPhones, linked to recent thefts during matches in Dharamshala and Mohali. The suspects have a history of involvement in theft and other criminal activities, prompting police to continue their investigation and recovery efforts.
The Crime Branch has been gathering intelligence on organized gangs involved in mobile phone and valuable item theft during major sporting events. On the night of May 27, they received a tip-off about members of an inter-state theft gang returning to Delhi with stolen mobile phones after committing thefts during IPL matches in Chandigarh and Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Acting on this information, a trap was set near the MCD toll at Singhu Border in Narela, where a commercial Kia Carens vehicle was intercepted, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
During the search, police recovered 15 mobile phones, including nine Apple iPhones, four Samsung phones, one Oppo phone, one OnePlus phone, and the Kia Carens vehicle. During interrogation, the suspects admitted that the recovered phones were stolen during recent IPL matches in Chandigarh and Dharamshala.
The arrested individuals include Arbaaz (26, resident of Sangam Vihar, Delhi), Naveen Kumar alias Nikkku (34, resident of Faridabad, Haryana), Hemraj alias Puchi (47, resident of Daryaganj, Delhi), and Abdul Mugni alias Shaiz (23, resident of Sadar Bazaar, Delhi).
During questioning, the suspects revealed that they were part of an organized inter-state gang that specialized in stealing expensive mobile phones during IPL cricket matches and other large public events. They confessed to regularly traveling across India to various IPL venues, specifically targeting spectators with premium mobile phones, especially iPhones and high-end Samsung devices.
Moreover, a review of the suspects’ criminal records revealed that Arbaaz and Hemraj alias Puchi had previously been involved in multiple criminal cases, primarily related to theft and possession of stolen property. This gang actively operates during crowded events, using rented commercial vehicles to reach match venues, identifying potential victims, and exploiting the excitement and distraction of the crowd to commit theft.
After the thefts, they would quickly leave the venue and return to Delhi to dispose of the stolen items and evade detection. The stolen mobile phones were sold at good prices to Kamal and Adil in Malka Ganj, New Delhi.
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