Police have arrested nine members of an inter-district robbery gang in Dhaka’s Wari area in connection with the robbery of 57 bhori of gold ornaments from a businessman.
During the operation, police recovered 17 bhori of gold, Tk6.8 lakh in cash, a motorcycle, a microbus, two mobile phones, a toy pistol, two walkie-talkies, a pair of handcuffs, three DB-style belts, and two sticks.
The Media and Public Relations Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) confirmed the arrests.
The arrested are Shahidul Islam Majhi, 60; Abdul Malek, 55; Monir Hossain, 45; Yusuf Kazi, 65; Raisul Islam, 34; Ariful Islam, 34; Afzal Hossain, 30; Tinnath Pal, 38; and Ripon Pal, 36.
Police said the incident took place on May 27 around 10:30pm when gold trader Haripada Pal and his company manager were returning home with 57 bhori of gold ornaments and Tk1.47 lakh in cash.
At Rathkhola intersection on Nawabpur Road under Wari Police Station, a group intercepted them, introducing themselves as Detective Branch (DB) police. They then forced the victims into a microbus at gunpoint, claiming they were involved in illegal activities.
The victims were later blindfolded and robbed of the gold ornaments and cash before being left near Kamalapur Railway Station, police said.
A case was later filed with the Wari Police Station based on a complaint by Haripada Pal.
Investigating the case, police arrested six members of the gang on June 6 from the Ittefaq intersection area while they were allegedly preparing for another robbery, using CCTV footage and information technology.
Following their interrogation, three more suspects were arrested in raids in Jessore and Tanti Bazar areas.
Of the stolen gold, 17 bhori were recovered in melted form along with Tk6.8 lakh, believed to be proceeds from the sale of gold. The motorcycle and microbus used in the robbery were also seized.
Police said another case was filed at Wari Police Station over preparation for further robberies, and drives are ongoing to arrest remaining members of the gang and recover the rest of the stolen gold.
