Nine-Member Interstate Bag-Lifting Gang Held: ₹75 Lakh Booty Seized
A total of 23 cases have been detected against the gang in the district
ANANTAPUR: Yerraguntla police in Kadapa district have arrested a nine-member interstate gang involved in bag-lifting targeting passengers on buses, at bus stands and in autorickshaws. Police seized stolen property worth about ₹75 lakh, including 507 grams of gold jewellery, 1.5 kg of silver and ₹61,000 in cash, from their possession on Tuesday.
The arrested accused were identified as Thonda Posamma, Thonda Pothuraju, Ravula Lakshmi of Gokavaram in East Godavari district; Kaveti Aruna of Pulivendula; Pala Sreekanth, Pala Sumathi, Pala Vamsi (23) of Rajugarikunta, Pitapuram mandal; Nagalla Sivakumar of Yeleswaram, East Godavari district; and Pala Prem Kumar of Rajugarikunta, Pitapuram mandal.
During the investigation, police found that the gang travelled together as passengers on buses and autos. While one member pretended to purchase a ticket, another would distract the victim by engaging them in conversation. The gang would then steal valuables such as gold jewellery, cash, purses and boxes from bags. After committing the theft, they would get down midway and board a waiting car to escape, often heading towards temples or rest areas to avoid suspicion.
Police said the gang was involved in bag-lifting incidents across Yerraguntla, Muddanuru, Proddatur, Jammalamadugu, Maidukuru, Badvel, Porumamilla, Kalasapadu, Pulivendula, Tadipatri, Maddipadu, Vijayawada, and other locations. Some of the stolen gold was sold through local contacts, while the remaining valuables were recovered from the accused.
A total of 23 cases have been detected against the gang in the district.
