Police bust inter-district gold chain snatching racket, four arrested

Puri: In a major crackdown, an inter-district gold chain snatching racket was busted today by a joint team of personnel from Baliapanda police station and the street crime prevention cell of Puri district.

The police team, led by Puri Additional SP (ASP) Mihir Kumar Panda, has arrested at least four members of the gang in this connection. Seven numbers of previously stolen gold chains, a 7mm pistol, two gold rings, a motorcycle, six mobile phones and cash of Rs 6,000 were recovered from their possession.

The team had laid a trap 29 days ago and conducted raids at different places leading to the arrests.

The racket had plans to commit a major crime in the town. Three of the accused are snatchers and the other one was arrested for purchasing the stolen gold ornaments. Hinting on their modus operandi, Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said that they used to mortgage the ornaments to a money lending company.

The snatchers are Mithun Mohapatra, Bibhuti Bhushan Swain and Sangram Swain, all from the villages under Chandanpur police limits and the purchaser is Rabinarayan Sahu under Kumbharpada police limits. The accused are history-sheeters and several cases are pending against them in Puri district.

Baliapanda police have registered a case under Section 110 of the CrPC and launched a probe.