Stolen handsets provide vital clue in Odisha dacoity case

Tracing two stolen mobile phones led police to crack a dacoity case in Odisha’s Kendrapara district, resulting in the arrest of seven members of an alleged robbery gang and the recovery of gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 10 lakh, police said on Monday.

The breakthrough came after investigators tracked two mobile phones stolen during the June 5 dacoity at the house of businessman Pradeep Rout in Khandiapatana village under the jurisdiction of the Aul police station.

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Technical analysis of the devices helped police gather crucial digital and location-based evidence linking the accused to the crime.

The seven accused were arrested during a late-night operation on Sunday. Police recovered the looted gold and silver ornaments, 12 mobile phones, including the two stolen handsets, three sharp-edged weapons, and three motorcycles allegedly used in the crime.

“We have arrested all seven accused and recovered the stolen valuables. We suspect their involvement in several other robbery cases in the district and adjoining areas,” said Antrajami Srichandan, Inspector-in-Charge of Aul police station.

The gang had allegedly planned the robbery meticulously. Four of the accused are said to have conducted reconnaissance of the target, arranged logistics, and directly participated in the dacoity. They reportedly reached the village on motorcycles and used masks and gloves to conceal their identities during the crime.

Police said the digital trail generated from the stolen mobile phones proved crucial in identifying the suspects and establishing their movements before and after the incident.

The accused were booked under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and were later remanded to judicial custody after a local court dismissed their bail applications.