60-year-old suspect accused of tracking cash-carrying citizens from banks in dozens of robberies
KARACHI:
A 60-year-old man who allegedly posed as an unsuspecting bank customer turned out to be the eyes and ears of a robbery gang, according to police, who arrested him for allegedly tracking citizens withdrawing large sums of money and alerting his co-conspirators.
Ferozabad police arrested Muhammad Mangi during an operation against a gang involved in robbing citizens after they withdrew cash from banks. According to SSP East Zubair Nazir Sheikh, the suspect was a key member of an organized gang and would visit banks to identify people carrying large amounts of cash before informing his accomplices.
Police officials said investigations into repeated robberies targeting citizens traveling from banks to their destinations revealed that an elderly man was suspiciously doing reconnaissance. To avoid raising suspicion, the gang allegedly used the elderly citizen as a mocker.
During interrogation, police said it emerged that the suspect was part of a four-man gang who would hunt and rob citizens after receiving information from Mangi. Police said CCTV footage of several alleged robberies had also been obtained, showing the suspect inside various banks and other suspects riding motorcycles at robbery sites.
According to the police, during interrogation, Mangi confessed to being involved in dozens of criminal incidents. Investigators also found that two years ago, he allegedly conducted surveillance on a DSP, leading to a robbery of Rs 800,000. carried out with the help of the same gang.
Police said the suspect’s criminal record had also surfaced, showing his alleged involvement in a case of murder committed during a robbery. A case has been registered against him while raids are being conducted to arrest his absconding accomplices.
Two false intelligences
officers held
Bahadurabad police arrested two men who allegedly posed as officers of a sensitive institution and used fake identities to defraud citizens and influence government officials.
The suspects, identified as Talha Yousufzai and Ali Haqani, were arrested and shifted to the police station for investigation. A case was registered against them on behalf of the state on charges including forgery and misuse of a false official identity.
According to police, the suspects traveled in a black vehicle while posing as officers at a sensitive institution. After a tip, the police stopped them and searched their identification documents. The suspects allegedly produced fake identity cards from the institution, which turned out to be forged.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used the name of a sensitive institution to extract crores of rupees from citizens and were also involved in pressuring government officials for bribes.
Sources said the suspects allegedly acquired a bungalow in Bahadurabad through extortion while fake institutional identity cards were recovered from their possession.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly used their fake influence in various institutions, including the Sindh Building Control Authority and the University of Karachi, to get various jobs done. They were also allegedly involved in cases related to illegal constructions and land encroachment.
Police said investigations into the suspects’ possible links with public and private institutions were ongoing and further arrests were expected.
