TikToker by day, burglar by night
During the day, they make "TikTok" videos for the streaming app, just like any other youth. But when the light dims, they go out on a different mission -- breaking into people's residences and stealing their valuables.
What's more, they said they engaged in the crime to fund their TikTok videos.
This came to light after a team of police's Detective Branch (DB) recently arrested four members of the gang from the capital's Banani area, after they stole 16 laptops, two DSLR cameras, cash worth Tk 3.50 lakh and electronic gadgets worth Tk 12.40 lakh from an IT firm's office.
The arrestees are – Hazrat Ali (25) and Shimul Islam Liton (24), who work with two of their under-age cohorts. All of them live at Banani's Karail slum.
The theft took place on January 15 at the Banani-based IT solutions firm "Shikhbe Shobai".
CCTV footages showed three members of the gang broke into the office around 3:15am by cutting its grille, while another waited on the street outside.
Once inside, they ransacked various office rooms and stole the valuables, leaving the premises around 3:36am. One of them was seen going out dancing happily.
On January 19, Abdul Kader Saud, chief operating officer of Shikhbe Shobai, filed a a case with Banani Police Station over the incident.
Investigators said during primary interrogation, the four said they chose to steal to raise money for colourful costumes, which they deem essential for "hit" TikTok videos.
One of the arrestees, Ali, said they planned the theft operation at a shop next to the IT firm's office. Another arrestee said he stood outside the office to act as an alarm for the gang. He said he got Tk 10,000 for this.
DB Gulshan Division Deputy Commissioner Mashiur Rahman said the arrestees have been involved in theft, mugging and drug peddling for a long time.
By raising money from these activities, they make videos for social media platforms like TikTok and Likee. In order to meet the expenses for their extravagant videos, they used to steal from various offices, educational institutions and take away valuables like mobile phones, laptops and computers, selling them at very low prices.
Police said the criminals target residences and offices where security is lacking. "Each premises should have their surveillance system, complete with CCTVs," the official said.
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