Police have arrested nine members of an inter-district robber gang in connection the robbery of 57 bhoris of gold ornaments in capital’s Wari area.
The arrestees have been identified as Shahidul Islam Majhi, 60, Abdul Malek, 55, Md Monir Hossain, 45, Yusuf Kazi, 65, Raisul Islam, 34, Ariful Islam, 34, Md Afzal Hossain, 30, Tinnath Pal, 38, and Ripon Pal, 36.
According to police sources, the robbery took place around 10:20pm on 27 May, at Rathkhola crossing on Nawabpur Road.
Gold merchant Haripada Pal and his manager were returning home with 57 bhoris of gold jewellery and Tk1.47 lakh in cash when the gang intercepted them.
Posing as Detective Branch (DB) police officers, the robbers accused the victims of carrying illegal drugs and forced them into a microbus.
After blindfolding the victims and threatening them with death, the gang looted the gold and cash before abandoning them near Kamalapur Railway Station.
Following a complaint filed by Haripada, a team from Wari Police Station analysed CCTV footage and used information technology to track the gang. Six members were apprehended at 11:30am on Sunday, near Ittefaq crossing while they were allegedly preparing for another robbery.
Based on information provided by initial arrestees, police conducted further raids in Jessore and Tantibazar, arresting three more members of the gang.
Law enforcement recovered 17 bhoris of melted gold from the stolen 57 bhoris, along with Tk6.80 lakh obtained from selling the looted gold.
Other seized items included a toy pistol, two walkie-talkie sets, a pair of handcuffs, three DB vests, two sticks, two mobile phones, a motorcycle, and the microbus used in the crime.
Two separate cases have been registered at Wari Police Station regarding the initial robbery and the preparation for further criminal activity.
