Police bust notorious lootera gang in Odisha’s Sambalpur; 3 held with firearm, live bullets

Kuchinda: In a crackdown, Kuchinda police busted a lootera gang in connection with a snatching case in Sambalpur district. Police have arrested three persons in this connection, SDPO Amitabh Panda said in a press conference held here today.

The arrested are Umesh Chandra Sahu alias Mutura from Anuapada of Kendrapara district, Ajit Kumar Kar from Musatikiri of Jajpur district, and their aide Sanjit Kumar Patel from Burodihi under Mahulapali police limits of Sambalpur.

According to the senior cop, Umesh and Ajit with the help of Sanjit previously looted a gold chain in the evening of March 19 from a woman in front of Kuchinda Town Hall.

A team was earlier formed led by Kuchinda IIC Dillip Kumar Swain leading to the arrests.

The gang was planning to conduct a burglary on a local jewellery shop near bus stand in the town.

Umesh is a history-sheeter and he has about 26 cases pending against him in different police stations across Odisha. Similarly, Ajit has around 22 criminal cases against him.

Kuchinda police seized a firearm, three live bullets, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone used in the crime from the possession of the lootera gang.

The accused persons were forwarded to court later in the day, the SDPO added.