37 robbery cases in 3 days on city outskirts; Police to set up checkpoints to bring down crimes

BENGALURU: A gang of six minors was arrested by the Bengaluru Rural police for committing 37 robberies in three days across Madanayakanahalli, Doddaballapur, Suryanagar, Nelamangala and Byadarahalli police limits.

The minors would threaten their victims with knives, steal their mobile phones and money and flee. They operated at night, using three bikes to move around.

The police were able to crack down on the case by analyzing CCTV footage, which showed the same group committing multiple crimes. A special team was formed and the police conducted night patrols, eventually apprehending the gang in Byadarahalli.

These minor accused used to roam around on three bikes at night. On the first day, they committed robberies around Doddaballapura. The next day, they committed robberies around Madanayakanahalli and Nelamangala. On the third day, they robbed around Suryanagar. Thus, in exactly three days, the gang of minors had robbed 37 places.

This gang had stabbed one person in the Madanayakanahalli police station limits. Nine mobile phones were recovered from the gang, and one of the accused was found to have a previous criminal record. The police have handed over the accused to the rural police station. The gang would block vehicles, including bikes, cars, and lorries, and demand valuables from their victims.

The city has seen a surge in rowdyism acts , with incidents of armed individuals causing trouble on the rise. To curb this issue, police officials have suggested that the police commissioner revive old policing methods.

The proposed measures include setting up of nakabandi (roadblocks) and conducting thorough vehicle checks, particularly at night. The officials believe that physical checks are necessary to effectively tackle rowdy elements and maintain law and order in the city.

The police department is considering a return to traditional policing methods to tackle the growing menace of rowdyism in the city. The commissioner is said to have taken the suggestion seriously, and the police are likely to increase patrolling and vehicle checks during and night nakabandi operations.