Theft gang brought to justice
Based in Cumilla, they broke into high-rises in Dhaka, Ctg
The Detective Branch of police recently busted a theft gang based in Cumilla, which devised a strategy, comprising of multiple layers, to accomplish their goals -- to break into offices in high-rise buildings.
They first set a target, recce it for several days, share information among members, and then finalise the plan over phone calls.
To keep their communication hidden from law enforcers, the gang buys mobile phone SIMs registered by others' names. They bought the SIMs at a price between Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 from telecom shops in the city's Kandirpar.
Once their operations are over, they throw away the SIMs, along with their cheap mobile sets, and go traceless.
This came to light after DB arrested seven of its members after surveying CCTV footage of Uttara's Paradise Tower, where the group broke into on June 11.
According to officials of Uttara Division of DB, for the SIM cards, some miscreants collect innocent peoples' fingerprints, often without their knowledge.
Sometimes they convince poor people to provide their fingerprints and NIDs in exchange for Tk 200-300. The documents are then sold to telecom shops in Kandirpar, especially to Music Telecom, whose owner Al Amin had connections with the busted theft gang, officials said.
The arrestees are: gang leader Jamal Uddin, Shafiq Bhuiyan alias Bacha, Shafiq's wife Mukta Akter, Jasim Uddin, Kader Kibria alias Babu, Shakil, and Music Telecom's Al Amin. They were arrested on September 20.
After interrogation, members of the gang said they broke into offices in high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar. Detectives claimed Jamal's gang was involved in 200 to 300 theft incidents. Badruzzaman Zillur, additional DC of DB (Uttara), said Jamal and Shafiq are accused in 14 and six cases respectively.