Odisha Police bust theft gang, 14 arrested, goods worth 40 lakh seized.

Jajpur: Odisha Police on Thursday said they have busted an armed robbery gang by arresting 14 people and recovering stolen goods worth Rs 40 lakh from them.

Police also seized several weapons used in the crimes, a four-wheeler, two motorcycles, and 15 mobile phones. The arrested individuals are residents of Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Cuttack districts, police said.

Speaking to reporters, DIG (Central Range) Satyajit Nayak said that 11 of the arrested individuals are members of the robbery gang, while the remaining three are buyers of the stolen goods.

Jajpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Yash Pratap Shrimal said that several teams were formed in view of the increasing incidents of theft and robbery in the district over the past eight months, and they were working to apprehend the culprits.

He said that acting on a tip-off, the teams raided two different locations and apprehended two of the accused.

Based on the information provided by them, police managed to arrest the remaining members of the gang, along with the three individuals who purchased the stolen goods, the SP added.

He further stated that they have recovered 225 grams of gold, 2.39 kg of silver ornaments, Rs 5.9 lakh in cash, three vehicles including two motorcycles, 15 mobile phones, weapons, and housebreaking tools.

He said that they have identified the remaining three members of the gang, and they will also be arrested soon.

The accused are involved in 30 cases of theft across six police station areas in Jajpur district, including 16 in Dharmasala, six in Brahmabarada, three in Kuakhia, two each in Balichandrapur and Jenapur, and one in Badachana.

Police said that the accused were produced before a court, which rejected their bail applications and sent them to judicial custody.