Saying 'sorry', pickpockets targeted tourists, bizmen
New Delhi: "Saying Sorry" and then pickpocketing, a new crime trend evolved in the streets of Delhi.
The following revelation made after four juveniles apprehended from Central Delhi area, police claimed on Wednesday.
The investigating agency disclosed that these pickpockets were mostly active in crowded market areas of the national Capital and found involved in three criminal cases.
Police sources claimed that the on December 17 around 8:30 pm, when a businessman was crossing the road the gang members targeted him in DBG road area.
"During that time, an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was patrolling in the area and reached the spot after seeing that the accused were trying to take out the phone from the pocket of their target. One of the juveniles caught by the businessman," said police officer.
The sources further claimed that rest of the juveniles caught by the ASI and other people present at the spot. The JCLs are homeless and drug addicts.
"After selling the stolen phone, they purchase fluids to inhale," police said.
The investigation revealed that they were involved in three cases.
"The modus operandi of the gang as they walked in the group of four to five persons and target crowded places," said police officer.
An officer privy to investigation stated that after targeting a person, the JCLs used to surround the target.
"One of them will say sorry after deliberately colliding with the person to distract him in, meanwhile, the other kid will take out the phone from the pocket," police added.
If they get caught, the phone is handed to other JCL who run from there.
According to police, this gang targets mostly tourist and businessmen who come to the city from other parts of the country. This gang is active in areas like Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Kamala Nagar and Dariyaganj.
The investigation in the case revealed that the gang had other members for which police has launched a manhunt.
The group of JCLs had committed three other crime with similar modus operandi. Their victims included two businessmen.
"They mostly target high-end phones and selling them in between 10-12,000 rupees. From the money, they purchase fluids," said an investigator.
