Ahmedabad: The Zone-3 DCP squad of Ahmedabad Police has busted a high-tech inter-state mobile theft gang that targeted crowded locations, including IPL venues. Two accused, who had flown in from Jharkhand specifically to carry out thefts during IPL matches, have been arrested, while a minor has also been detained.

Acting on specific inputs, a team led by PSI V.H. Rathod of DCP Rupal Solanki’s LCB squad apprehended two accused Raghu Mahato (30) and Vikram Mahato (34) near Kalupur Railway Station. Police recovered 21 mobile phones worth ₹6.08 lakh from their possession, along with Aadhaar cards and Akasa airline tickets.

Police said Raghu Mahato had earlier managed to escape after getting wind of a police operation and had since been under surveillance. He was eventually arrested along with the stolen devices. Raghu is also believed to be linked to another accused, Amit Mohanti, and had played a key role in coordinating the gang’s activities.

Investigations revealed that the accused specifically targeted IPL matches in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. They allegedly stole mobile phones outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium and during an IPL match held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 4. The accused had travelled by air from Jharkhand for these operations, while one accomplice, identified as Omkar, remains absconding.

DCP Zone-3 Rupal Solanki stated that the gang regularly travelled by air and train to major cities, targeting high-footfall events such as IPL matches, where large crowds made theft easier. The accused used a minor to discreetly pick phones from spectators’ pockets at metro stations and event venues. The stolen devices were then transported and distributed to different parts of the country.

After stealing phones in bulk from multiple locations, the gang would return to Jharkhand to sell them at low prices and, in some cases, in Mumbai as well. To avoid detection, stolen phones were wrapped in silver foil to block signals and prevent tracking. Police also found that, in cases where phones were unlocked, the accused used them for financial fraud. Two phones stolen from Mehsana were used to download Google Pay, receive OTPs, and transfer money from victims’ bank accounts.

The gang primarily operated in crowded public spaces such as metro stations, bus stands, and event venues. High-footfall areas like the metro exit near Gate No. 1 during IPL matches and the Geeta Mandir bus stand were specifically targeted due to heavy crowds and public inattention. The gang followed a three-layer system to execute the thefts: the minor would allegedly steal the phone and pass it to a second accomplice, who would then hand it over to a third person stationed some distance away, ensuring that no stolen item was found on the initial suspect.

The accused, who hail from Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, sold stolen phones in local “Gujri” markets at cheap rates. In many cases, devices were dismantled and sold as parts, making them difficult to trace. DeshGujarat