Eight women held for snatching, thefts outside banks, ATMs

POLICE SAID THAT THE ACCUSED WOULD EYE EASY TARGETS AT BANKS AND ATMS, SUCH AS OLD WOMEN WITHDRAWING LARGE SUM OF MONEY

Police on Saturday arrested eight women who targeted bank customers in west Delhi and snatched their cash and phones. The gang operated in Delhi and targeted people coming out of banks and ATMs.

The arrested women are Varsha (25), Rani (35), Pushpa (35), Seema (35), Sonam (27), Bindiya (27), Shabana (40) and Sangita (35). They hail from Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh.

“The accused used to change their mobile phones and sim cards after committing the crimes. They would send the stolen items to their village after the thefts. They were involved in more than 100 thefts,” said a senior police official.

Police said that at banks and ATMs, the accused would eye easy targets such as old women withdrawing big amounts. Then they would either stand near their targets or follow them on the road.

On getting an opportunity, one of them engaged their target in a conversation or pushed her towards the other gang members, who would cut the bag containing cash or valuables.

The gang used to burgle shops and target wedding venues during marriage season, police said.

Police said the gang was busted after the accused robbed an elderly woman in front of Punjab National Bank in Tilak Nagar on August 30. A guard called police and one of the gang members, Varsha (25), was apprehended.

Based on the information obtained during her interrogation, the remaining gang members were arrested.

“It was found they had information regarding the arrest of one of their team members and had sent the looted booty to their village. They were planning to change their accommodation. But swift action by police, using electronic surveillance, foiled their plan,” said deputy commissioner of police (west) Vijay Kumar.