Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh | In a major breakthrough, Janjgir-Champa Police have exposed an inter-state robbery and pickpocketing gang involved in a series of daylight loot cases across multiple districts of Chhattisgarh. Two accused from Katihar, Bihar, have been arrested, while two key conspirators remain absconding.
The arrested accused have been identified as Deepak Yadav (36) and Avinash alias Sunny Kumar Yadav (28), both residents of Jorabaganj, Kodha police station area of Katihar district, Bihar.
₹9.83 Lakh Looted Across 7 Cases in Chhattisgarh
Police investigations revealed that the gang committed seven robbery and theft cases, looting a total of ₹9.83 lakh in districts including Raigarh, Korba, Ambikapur, Sarangarh, and Janjgir.
The latest case involved a ₹2.5 lakh daylight robbery in the Shivrinarayan police station area, which became the turning point in cracking the gang.
Modus Operandi: Targeting Women and Elderly Bank Customers
According to police, the accused would conduct surveillance inside banks, identifying women and elderly customers withdrawing large sums of cash. They would then follow the victims till their homes and commit robbery at an opportune moment. In several cases, the gang used itching powder to distract victims and facilitate the crime.
150+ CCTV Footages Analyzed
Taking the incident seriously, Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Pandey directed immediate identification and arrest of the culprits. Under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Umesh Kumar Kashyap and Deputy Superintendent of Police Yogitabali Khaparde, the Cyber Police team analyzed over 150 CCTV camera footages tracking the suspects’ escape route from Janjgir to Bilaspur.
Technical inputs revealed the accused were from Bihar. A massive search of hotels, lodges, and dharamshalas in Bilaspur led police to Shivam Lodge near the old bus stand, where the suspects were apprehended posing as customers.
Confession and Recovery
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the Shivrinarayan robbery and multiple similar crimes across the state. Police recovered:
- Two stolen motorcycles (used with fake Chhattisgarh number plates)
- Four fake Aadhaar cards
- Three keypad mobile phones
- Itching powder
- ₹10,500 in cash
The accused were formally arrested and sent to judicial custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the two absconding accused, including the main conspirator.
Police Advisory to the Public
Janjgir-Champa Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant while withdrawing large sums of money, advising the use of digital payment modes, avoiding disclosure of cash withdrawals, and seeking immediate police assistance if followed or threatened.
Police officials stated that the success of the operation was the result of coordinated teamwork by the Cyber Police Station and Shivrinarayan Police, reaffirming their commitment to public safety and swift crime resolution.