Cop impersonator held in Dhaka

Shakil Ahmed Rubel often impersonates police personnel to approach people.

He carries handcuffs, a pistol and a walkie-talkie. He rides a motorbike with a police sticker on it.

Shakil, along with his gang members, has targeted around 1,500 people so far -- mostly female students -- and used this fake image to mug them.

More than 150 of the victims were sexually harassed in the process.

Harun-Or-Rashid, additional commissioner of DMP's detective branch, revealed this yesterday after arresting Rubel (28) and three others from different areas in connection with mugging a Dhaka University Student at Turag on August 25.

The other three arrestees are Akash Sheikh (22), Delwar Hossain (55) Habibur Rahman (35).

On August 25, the victim was on her way home to Kalyanpur from the university when Rubel intercepted her rickshaw and identified himself as a police officer.

He made her get on the bike, saying he had to take her to the police station as she was suspected to be carrying contraband.

He then took her to Turag, snatched all her belongings and harassed her sexually.

At this point, a local witnessed the incident and intercepted Rubel. He fled away with his motorcycle after being confronted by the man.

A case was later filed with Turag Police Station in this regard police arrested him following a drive.

In yesterday's briefing, Harun said Rubel is accused in at least six cases of robbery and mugging with different police stations.

"He has even raped his targets during the mugging," Harun told reporters at the DMP media centre.