Police today claimed to have busted a gang of bag lifters with the arrest of three persons, who used itching powder on their victims to distract them while committing the robbery.
The accused, identified as Bharat Gwala (25), Amarnath Gwala (25) and Sanil Gwala (22), natives of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, were members of Gwala gang and involved in bag lifting cases at crowded places specifically in Hauz Qazi area and New Delhi Railway Station.
Police recovered Rs 1.5 lakh cash, recharge pre-paid mobile coupons worth Rs 2,900, three stolen bags and several pouches of itching material from their possession.
During interrogation, the gang revealed their unique modus operandi to target its victims at crowded commercial markets and Railway Stations.
One gang member used to throw chewed biscuit on the clothes of targeted victim carrying bag and then the other member would say him to clean the filth from his clothes.
"As soon as the victim used to see the filth, the accused person would throw irritating itching powder called 'Kuwach' on his neck which would cause irritation and then he would search for water.
"The gang used to target the victim near any water source like tap water. As the victim put his bag down and wash his neck and clothes, the gang would run away with his bag in no time," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar.
Acting on a tip off, police apprehended Bharat Gwala on September 11 and recovered a knife and some itching material from his possession.
He disclosed involvement of two more accomplices, Amarnath and Sanil, in such cases of bag lifting. The police team raided several places in West Bengal and yesterday arrested them near Minto Road in Delhi.
