Police Uncovers Interstate Gold Theft Gang in Varanasi
Varanasi STF Action
The police in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, have successfully dismantled an interstate gang involved in gold theft. Authorities apprehended three individuals, including the gang leader, who had fled with four kilograms of gold from Jharkhand on April 24. The gang operated under the motto 'steal by the kilo,' targeting locations where substantial amounts of gold jewelry were available.
Details of the Heist
On April 24, members of this gang executed a robbery at a Bank of Maharashtra branch in the Barhi area of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, using weapons to steal four kilograms of gold and a significant amount of cash. They managed to escape cleverly after the crime. Jharkhand police received intelligence suggesting that the robbers were hiding in Varanasi. Consequently, a joint operation by the Varanasi STF and Jharkhand police led to the arrest of the gang leader and two accomplices in Sarnath.
Unique Modus Operandi
Mohammad Afzal, hailing from Nawada, Bihar, was identified as the gang leader. His associates, Pankaj Singh from Gorakhpur and Saurabh Yadav from Mau, have also been linked to multiple robbery incidents. The Varanasi STF revealed that this gang had a distinct approach to their heists, focusing on locations with large quantities of gold, including jewelry. Notably, in 2013, they had stolen 36 kilograms of gold.
Gang's Evasive Tactics
In this particular robbery, Afzal and Pankaj each acquired three kilograms of gold from a heist at a Muthoot Finance Bank in West Bengal, completing the operation in just 15 minutes. Although several individuals were arrested in connection with this case, the leaders Afzal and Pankaj remained at large.
Chronology of Thefts
- In 2015, they stole 14 kilograms of gold from IIFL Finance Company, with Afzal and Pankaj evading capture.
- In 2021, they executed a heist at Mannapuram Gold Finance Company, stealing 26 kilograms of gold but abandoned their vehicle and loot due to police barricades.
- In the same year, they stole two kilograms of gold from Ashirwad Gold Loan Company in Gaya, Bihar.
- In 2022, the gang was involved in an 8-kilogram gold theft from IIFL in Patna.
Focus on Gold
The gang's strategy emphasized gold over cash, specifically targeting gold loan finance companies with minimal staff and inadequate security measures. They preferred establishments with locker facilities for storing gold. The stolen gold was then converted into cash, which was invested in real estate and property. Investigations are ongoing to gather more information about the gang and their criminal activities.