Pune: The airport police on Tuesday claimed to have solved a series of cellphone theft, which was reported throughout the city for the past month, with the arrest of four young men recently from Karnataka.
The suspects, between 20 and 22 years, Hail from Bhalki in Karnataka and lived in a rented room in the city for the past month – half, said the police.
Fourteen cellphones, really worth RS2.65 Lakh, recovered from the suspects, police said.
The suspects will return stolen handsets to factory settings and sell them in the gray market back in Bhalki, added the police.
Four Youth – Manoj Kashinath Kasle (20), Shilarsaheb Mohammed Ismail Saudagar (20), Balaji Dhanraj Kasle (22) and Sherli Chandsaheb Shaikh (22) – have moved to Pune around early August and rented rooms at Kastba Summin, from Jalan Aundh.
They will move around the city with two motorbikes and most target women and pedestrians talking on the phone.
Two suspects were arrested on CCTV cameras grabbed the phone from a woman.
After five complaints from snatching cellphones in recent weeks, the airport police have increased the vigil in their limits.
The team consisting of Senior Inspector Bharat Jadhav and Patil’s Mangesh Inspector received a tip-off on September 8 on the suspects, who were seen driving two-wheeled vehicles without registration plates.
The team looked down the duo, who claimed to not question.
“Most young people target Chikhali, Bhosari, Vimannagar, Chandannagar, and Jerawada,” said the Senior Inspector Jadhav.
“After taking a cellphone, the suspects will format and sell it for 4,000-5,000,” he added.
A crime branch officer said a smartphone that can be easily opened and cannot be traced for sale two or three countries from where they are stolen.
In this way, the officer explained, stolen cellphones could not be traced.
Password protected smartphones are taken apart and the parts – mic, lens and screen camera, etc.
– sold to third-party mobile phone repair stores.