MillenniumPost
Delhi

Members of Metro pick-pocket gangs often strangers to each other

New Delhi: Gangs of cheats and pick-pockets operating inside Delhi Metro often keep chaning their modus operandi, so as to dodge police investigation. The latest of these techniques was unravelled by Delhi Police during interrogation of some criminals, who use code words and do not reveal their names or whereabouts to each other. Investigators told Millennium Post they after questioning the arrested criminals, they observed a trend wherein the accused of different gangs have no idea of each other's whereabouts or contact details.

"Everyday, before returning to their home, the gang leader – known only as 'Machine' – tells the members the place and time where they will meet the next morning. No other details shared between them so that if they are caught, the police do not get clues about other associates," said a police officer.

In many cases, cops recover stolen mobile phones from the arrested accused, who refuse to even reveal their own name and details. They are usually identified after their fingerprints are matched with police records.

The next morning, when that person does not turn up for the meeting, his or her associates wait for a while and eventually carry on with their criminal activities.

Active mostly at interchange stations, these gangs target people who carry luggage in both their hands, as their phones or purses can be easily taken out. 'Thekebaaz' is the code word used by the gang leader for his associates, as when the Metro stops at the station, the associates form a crowd at the exact time of boarding or deboarding of the passengers and start pushing their targets.

At this moment, the 'machine' snatches away the phone and hands it over to his associates. One of his associates stands a few meters away from the gang, who is given the stolen items. When asked how a gang is formed, an investigator said, "The gang leader knows the criminals very well who are active in the Metro and the places where they can be found. He meets these criminals and forms a gang."

Cops also found that the need for drugs plays an important role in the crimes. "Before going to any Metro station, if a criminals has already taken his fix, they will take time to commit a theft after observing their targets. But if they are in need of quick money to buy drugs, they could target anyone, anytime," the investigator said.

DCP (Metro) Deepak Gauri said that till June this year, 200 persons have been arrested for various crimes with the Delhi Metro jurisdiction.

Next Story
Share it