60-year-old suspect accused of tracking citizens carrying cash from banks in dozens of robberies
KARACHI:
A 60-year-old man who allegedly posed as an unsuspecting bank visitor turned out to be the eyes and ears of a gang of thieves, according to police, who arrested him for allegedly tracking citizens withdrawing large sums of money and alerting his accomplices.
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 against citizens traveling from banks to their destinations revealed that an elderly man was conducting suspicious reconnaissance. To avoid raising suspicion, the gang allegedly used the old man as an observer.
During interrogation, police said it was learned that the suspect was part of a four-member gang that chased and robbed citizens after receiving information from Mangi. Police said CCTV footage of several alleged robberies had also been obtained, showing the suspect inside different banks and other suspects riding a motorcycle at the locations of the robberies.
According to the police, Mangi confessed during interrogation to his involvement in dozens of criminal incidents. Investigators also discovered that two years ago, he allegedly surveilled 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 come to light, showing his alleged involvement in a murder case committed during a robbery. A case has been opened against him and raids are being carried out to arrest his accomplices in the escape.
Two false intelligences
detained officers
Bahadurabad police arrested two men who allegedly posed as officials of a sensitive institution and used fake identities to mislead citizens and influence government officials.
The suspects, identified as Talha Yousufzai and Ali Haqani, were arrested and taken to the police station for investigation. A case was opened against them on behalf of the State on charges including falsification of documents and misuse of a false official identity.
According to police, the suspects were traveling in a black vehicle posing as officers from a sensitive institution. After receiving a tip, the police stopped them and asked for their identification documents. The suspects allegedly presented false identity documents from the institution, which were found to be forged.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used the name of a sensitive institution to extract millions 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 blackmail, while fake institutional identity cards were recovered from their possession.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly used their false influence in various institutions, including Sindh Building Control Authority and Karachi University, to perform different tasks. They would also allegedly be involved in matters related to illegal constructions and land usurpations.
Police said investigations were underway into the suspects’ possible links to the government and private institutions, and more arrests were expected.
