New Delhi, March 12 Police have arrested two criminals who snatched cash and valuables from unsuspecting pedestrians by deliberately bumping into them and creating a distraction in the Paschim Vihar area of outer Delhi, an official said on Thursday.
Police said Neeraj alias Dhani (26) and Rajesh Pandey (30) of the 'Takkar Gang' were arrested on March 6. Police said both are habitual offenders and have multiple criminal cases registered against them.
According to the police, their modus operandi was to have one of them intentionally collide with pedestrians, and get into an argument.
"Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, the accomplice would quickly remove cash or a mobile phone from the victim and the duo would flee on a motorcycle," the police officer said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was received from a salon employee in Paschim Vihar. In his complaint, Om Prakash said he was walking near a bank on February 26 when a man suddenly stopped him and started arguing with him.
Later, he realised that Rs 10,000 was missing from his pocket.
An e-FIR was lodged based on his complaint and police began an investigation. They analysed CCTV footage from several routes around the crime scene and identified two suspects riding a red motorcycle.
The registration number of the motorcycle was traced to Neeraj, following which police activated local informers and conducted a raid near Kabutar Chowk in Budh Vihar on March 6, leading to the arrest of the two accused. During interrogation, the duo confessed to their involvement in multiple similar offences, police said.
