Dhenkanal: Police have arrested five members of an inter-district robbery gang, including its alleged mastermind, in connection with the robbery of Rs 3.5 lakh from a Common Service Centre (CSC) in Kankadahad village under Sadar police limits in this district September 28.
Police also recovered Rs 6.5 lakh in cash apart from seizure of firearms, weapons, ammunition, vehicles and 12 mobile phones. Dhenkanal SP Ajinkya Baburao Mane said at a press conference Monday that the gang had allegedly been planning robberies while its members were lodged in jail in connection with earlier cases.
The accused were identified as Bunty alias Amar Singh, 26, of Urali village under Kataka Sadar police limits; Milan Nayak, 28, and Bika alias Bikash Nayak, 24, of Haldiabahal under Motanga police limits; Bapi alias Ambika Prasad Das, 21, of Harekrushnapur under Sadar police limits; and Brijesh Pradhan, 26, of Padhan Sahi under Motanga police limits.
Two other gang members are absconding. According to police, three men reportedly arrived on a black motorcycle at the CSC September 28 and held owner Sanjib Kumar Behera, 49, at gunpoint before fleeing with Rs 3.5 lakh, a gold ring and a mobile phone. Three others allegedly kept watch from a car nearby. A police team led by Sadar SDPO Ramesh Chandra Dora conducted raids in Dhenkanal and other districts. CCTV footage and mobile phone tracking helped police trace and arrest the accused from different locations.