7 'members of theft ring' held in Chattogram, Tk15 lakh and gold recovered
Police say Tk15.11 lakh allegedly sourced from selling stolen gold was hidden in plastic bags inside a drum of rice.
Police have arrested seven alleged members of a theft ring over the 28 July burglary of two homes in Chattogram and recovered Tk15.11 lakh in cash, seven bhori of gold jewellery, two mobile phones and a gold-weighing scale.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner Md Alamgir Hossain disclosed the information at a briefing at the CMP Media Centre at Dampara Police Lines today (4 September).
He said the Tk15.11 lakh was sourced from the sale of stolen gold and was hidden in plastic bags inside a drum filled with rice.
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On 28 July, two houses in the City Gate area under Akbar Shah Police Station were burgled. Businessman Md Alamgir Mia had gone to Epic Hospital with his wife for medical treatment when thieves broke into his home.
Alamgir later found household items scattered and a steel almirah open. Police said 10 bhori and four ana of gold jewellery worth around Tk20 lakh, Tk2 lakh in cash, 12,500 Saudi riyals and an iPhone 12 Pro Max were stolen from his home.
Police said thieves also broke into Alamgir's neighbour Nurul Islam's house and stole Tk60,000 in cash, one bhori and eight ana of gold jewellery and a Samsung Android phone.
On 31 July, Alamgir filed a case with Akbar Shah Police Station under Sections 454 and 380 of the Penal Code.
During the investigation, police reviewed CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas and identified the suspects following a tip-off, police said.
On 6 August, police arrested Jasim Uddin alias Jasim, 45, and Mostakin Hossain Mithu, 47, during an operation in Double Mooring.
Based on information provided by them, police arrested Setu Das alias Salahuddin, 43, Mohammad Ali, 43, and Debabrata Banik alias Balai Banik, 37, in Kotwali on 7 August.
Police later arrested Mohammad Ismail, 33, from Sadarghat on 10 August and Farzana Begum, 38, from Double Mooring on 19 August, based on information provided by the other suspects.
Tk15 lakh hidden in rice
Police said Mohammad Ali was questioned on remand and eventually led investigators to a drum where Tk15,11,800 had been hidden in plastic bags under rice.
A gold weighing scale and a Samsung Android phone were also recovered from the location.
Based on further information provided by Mohammad Ali, police conducted a raid in Tanti Bazar under Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Kotwali Police Station yesterday.
They recovered seven bhori of gold jewellery, including two necklaces, three chains, a pair of earrings and a ring, as well as another Samsung Android phone.
Five give confessional statements
Police said five of the seven arrested suspects have given confessional statements before a court.
Police said six cases have been filed against Setu Das, six against Jasim Uddin and nine against Mostakin Hossain Mithu.
Mohammad Ali has seven cases against him under laws relating to drugs, theft, snatching, robbery and firearms, police said.
Police also said efforts are underway to recover the remaining stolen items and arrest other unidentified members of the alleged theft ring.
