Boudh: The eight persons, who were detained by Purunakatak police on Sunday night during a car lifting bid, are part of a major criminal gang involved in a series of loot and dacoity incidents in several parts of Odisha. One pistol, sharp weapons and several other articles have been seized from the eight accused, said Boudh SP V. Raghunath Rao on Monday.
As per reports, the gang members had hired a SUV from Bhubaneswar on the pretext of attending a marriage in Bolangir. However, the driver of the vehicle, suspecting their ill-motive, alerted the owner who then tipped police about the matter.
“We got information that some people were moving in a suspicious manner and alerted Purunakatak police. Later, the car was intercepted at NH 57 near forest check gate,” said Rao.
Rao further said that all the eight youths hail from Nayagarh district and are members of a major dacoity gang. Several dacoity and loot cases are registered against them at different police stations in Nayagarh, Khordha and other districts, he said.
“They criminals had hired the car on the pretext of attending a marriage in Bolangir. We are verifying their criminal antecedents. We also suspect the involvement of other gang members and further investigation in this connection is underway,” Rao added.