Seven, Including Four Women And Two BTech students, Arrested For Mobile Theft At Bhubaneswar Durga Puja Pandal
According to preliminary investigations, the accused allegedly took advantage of the heavy rush at the puja pandal to target devotees
Bhubaneswar: Seven people, including four women and two BTech students, have been arrested for allegedly stealing mobile phones from devotees at separate Durga Puja pandals in Bhubaneswar, police said on Wednesday.
In the first instance, the arrests were made by Nayapalli police following reports of mobile phone thefts during the Durga Puja celebrations. Five Android mobile phones were recovered from the accused.
According to preliminary investigations, the accused allegedly took advantage of the heavy rush at the puja pandal to target devotees. They reportedly created artificial crowds to distract people before stealing mobile phones from their pockets.
Police are investigating the case to ascertain whether the accused were involved in other thefts during the festive season.
In a separate incident, two BTech students were arrested by Infocity police within 12 hours of allegedly robbing a person of a mobile phone and a scooter.
The two accused reportedly threatened the victim with weapons before fleeing with the stolen belongings. Police subsequently recovered the stolen items, along with a motorcycle and other mobile phones, from their possession.
Investigators were probing whether the duo was involved in other criminal activities.
Police have urged people to remain vigilant at crowded Durga Puja pandals and other public places, particularly during festivals when pickpockets and mobile phone thieves may exploit the rush.