4 members of gang behind robbery spree in Chandigarh tricity arrested

The Chandigarh Police’s Operations Cell has busted a gang behind a series of robberies and vehicle thefts in tricity. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested four members of ‘Haddi gang’ — Vishal, alias Haddi, Manish Kumar, Salman and Kishan Kumar — all aged between 19 and 20 years and recovered stolen vehicles and mobile phones from their possession.

The gang allegedly went on a robbery spree during the intervening night of July 31 and August 1. They committing more than seven criminal incidents across the city.

On the Khuda Lahora–Dhanas Lake stretch, they attacked a couple riding a motorcycle with iron rods and sticks. The assailants robbed their mobile phones, Rs 2,500 in cash and bags. The male victim sustained fractures.

A team led by Inspector Ranjit Singh apprehended Vishal and Manish from near NITTTR, Sector 26. On interrogation, they revealed the whereabouts of their accomplices Salman and Kishan, who were arrested from near Golf Turn, Sector 26, with a stolen Honda Activa.

The police recovered seven mobile phones and confirmed that the gang had used stolen two-wheelers to rob people in secluded areas. The accused confessed to snatching and theft in areas like Ramdarbar, Industrial Area and Sector 28. They also attempted to rob a vegetable vendor in Maloya, but fled after abandoning their motorcycle.

2 snatchers held

The Sector 31 police team arrested a snatcher and his accomplice involved in multiple incidents across the tricity. The police recovered five gold chains, one gold mangalsutra and two gold pendants during the investigation.

Accused Abhishek Ojha (30) was a habitual offender, who hailed from Agra and was currently living in Panchkula.

During police remand, Ojha confessed to several other snatchings in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. He used to send stolen jewellery to his friend Ashok Kumar (28) in Agra via courier.

Ashok was arrested later and further recoveries were made during raids in Agra and Panchkula. Ojha, a BCA graduate working in a Mohali-based company, said he took to crime for “pleasure and easy money” and used to watch snatching videos on YouTube.