Saheb Bazar
200 bhori gold looted after four-month plan
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Karushree Jewellers in Saheb Bazar of Rajshahi city had been targeted for four months. The gang closely monitored when the shop was less crowded, who stayed nearby, how they could enter and which route would allow them to escape safely. Finally, early on June 19, they created an artificial crowd by displaying various goods in front of the shop and entered a nearby gold shop.
The gang looted around 200 bhori of gold, 2,200 bhori of silver, three boxes of gold nose rings and Tk 20 lakh in cash from the shop. Police have arrested eight people in connection with the incident, including seven members of the theft gang and a gold trader accused of buying stolen gold.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Gaziur Rahman disclosed the information at a press conference held at the RMP headquarters on Thursday, September 10.
He said members of the gang were identified through technical analysis and intelligence information during a joint investigation by the RMP Detective Branch, Cyber Unit and CCTV Camera Unit. They were arrested during raids in Khulna and Dhaka on Tuesday, September 8.
The arrested individuals are Rustom Ali Sheikh (64), of Mongla in Bagerhat; Swapan (62), of Bhandaria in Pirojpur; Ujjal (37), from the same area; Riaz alias Suman alias Sujon alias Gedu (39), from the same village; Abu Taleb (45), of Sharankhola in Bagerhat; Kalam Sheikh (48), from the same area; Yunus (45), of Bhandaria in Pirojpur; and Rabiul Hasan (45), of Kachua Police Station area in Chandpur.
The police official said at the press conference that the gang carried out major thefts in a planned manner. Before a theft, they spent three to four months collecting information about the targeted area and business establishment. They determined in advance both the entry route and the route for safe escape after the theft.
According to him, members of the gang were also cautious in their communications. They never used the same mobile phone more than once. The SIM cards were also registered in other people’s names. Many of those whose names were used to register the SIM cards did not know that the cards were being used in their names. Gang members also did not stay permanently in any area.
Around four months before the theft at Karushree Jewellers, several members of the gang came to Rajshahi. They stayed at different hotels using business identities and monitored Saheb Bazar and surrounding areas. Later, they targeted the shop and finalized their plan for the theft.
Early on June 19, as planned, the gang created a crowd by displaying various goods in front of the shop. Taking advantage of the situation, members of the gang unlocked the door of a nearby gold shop and entered it. They then cut through the western wall of Karushree Jewellers and entered the shop. They fled with gold, silver, nose rings and cash.
After the incident, Karushree Jewellers owner Turjo Sarker filed a case with Boalia Model Police Station. The case was later transferred to the RMP Detective Branch for proper investigation. On the instructions of Police Commissioner Mohammad Faizul Kabir, the Detective Branch, Cyber Unit and CCTV Camera Unit began a coordinated investigation.
During the investigation, police found Rabiul Hasan’s involvement in buying stolen gold. After arresting him in Dhaka, police recovered 26 bhori of stolen gold, 62 bhori of silver and Tk 25 lakh obtained from selling stolen gold from him. Rabiul Hasan fell ill and was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital under police guard.
Gaziur Rahman further said efforts are underway to recover the remaining stolen goods based on information and evidence recovered from the gang. At the same time, efforts are underway to identify and arrest others involved in the incident.
