New Delhi: Surprise inspection of a bus in south east Delhi led to the arrest of four men involved in 19 cases of pick-pocketing and thefts across the city, Delhi Police said on Sunday.
The arrests were made on Friday near Okhla T-Point at MB road, with the accused identified as Jitu (22), Jitender (25), Gopal Gupta (22) and Hari Kishan (26).
Cops recovered a country-made pistol and three knives from their possession.
Interrogation revealed that Jitu had formed the gang with the others, all of whom are live in his neighbourhood and are addicted to liquor.
"Jitu is expert an in pick-pocketing. Due to his expertise, he was called as 'Machine' in the gang and became the leader," said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Ghanshyam Bansal.
Explaining the modus operandi, Bansal said that while his associates – also called 'thekbaaz' – would distract their intended targets while travelling in a bus by pushing them or engaging them in conversation, Jitu would rob them of their wallets and other valuables.
The accused also kept knives and a pistol on them, to be used in case of any retaliation.
The accused frequently targetted buses on the MB Road route.