Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A gang exploited school-going children from well-educated families for robberies, luring them into drug addiction and crime. The MIDC Cidco police arrested four gang leaders, uncovering a shocking network that had stolen 10 mobile phones and two silver rings in a month.
The crime came to light when Murgesh Choudhary (42) was attacked near the Cidco bus stand around 2.30 am on Saturday. Four men assaulted him, snatched his phone and rings, and fled. The police identified the suspects as Mukundwadi residents and launched a manhunt.
Police nab four gang members
Acting on intelligence, PI Gajanan Kalyankar and API Bharat Pachole, along with their team, arrested: Rohit Borade (20, S.T. Colony), Bhima Salve (19, Mukundwadi), Vikas Ingle (20, Sanjaynagar), Siddharth Sonawane (30, Sanjaynagar).
Minors from well-off families drawn into crime
Investigations revealed that the gang used two Class 10 students from MHADA and Mukundwadi for looting. Both are currently appearing for board exams, and one is the son of a political office-bearer. Rohit and Vikas, addicted to drugs, fell into the company of Bhima and Siddharth, both having criminal records for house burglaries. The gang introduced the minors to drugs, eventually pushing them into crimes.
As previously reported by Lokmat Times, the rising involvement of youth in crime has become a major concern. Police are now probing links between the gang, drug suppliers, and other criminal networks in the city.