The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested five individuals, including a dismissed army sergeant and a former police constable, in connection with the armed robbery of over Tk1 crore in Uttara.
The suspects — Md Hasan (35), Golam Mostafa alias Shahin (50), Sheikh Jalal Uddin alias Rabiul (43), Imdad-ul-Sharif (28), and Saiful Islam alias Shipon (27) — were detained in overnight raids across different parts of the capital.
According to police, the robbery took place on the morning of June 14 when four employees of mobile financial service Nagad were transporting Tk1.08 crore in four bags from a distributor’s residence on Uttara’s Road-12 to the company’s office. At around 8:55am, as they reached the junction of Roads 12 and 13, a black Hiace microbus blocked their path.
Armed men wearing black vests labeled “RAB” (Rapid Action Battalion) exited the vehicle and charged at the employees.
While the employees attempted to flee with the cash, the assailants overpowered them, seized the bags, and forced three of them into the vehicle. They were blindfolded, bound, and assaulted before being left at an undisclosed location.
One employee managed to escape and alerted the police, prompting an investigation by DB and Uttara West Police.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Uttara Division) Mohammad Muhidul Islam confirmed that authorities have so far recovered Tk22.10 lakh in cash, Tk12 lakh deposited in a bank account, and the microbus used in the crime.
The operation began with the arrest of Hiace driver Md Hasan in Khilgaon. His confession led police to the recovery of the microbus from a garage in Madertek. Subsequent raids led to the arrests of Shahin in Uttara, from whom Tk 13.34 lakh was recovered, and Imdadul in Adabor, from whom Tk 8.04 lakh was seized.
The former army sergeant, Jalal Uddin, was arrested in Sabujbagh with Tk 63,000 cash. He had falsely introduced himself as “Captain Jalal” and had deposited Tk 12 lakh of the stolen money into his personal bank account the day after the robbery.
Based on his statement, Shipon was apprehended from Airport Railway Station.
Police also recovered fake RAB and Police ID cards, batons, signal lights, a military-logo wallet, checkbooks from various banks, and mobile phones.
The mastermind, Shahin, had been dismissed from the police force after being caught with arms in Ramna in 1995. He has at least 17 cases against him, mostly related to arms and violent crime. Jalal, also dismissed from the army, played a key role in the execution of the heist.