Commissionerate Police have cracked down on a bike‑borne gang of chain‑snatchers active across Bhubaneswar and Kataka for the past four months.
Acting on sustained investigation, police apprehended five members, including two receivers and one juvenile, linked to at least 12 chain‑snatching cases reported in Pahala, Balianta, Mancheswar, Chandrasekharpur and Kataka Sadar PSs.
The gang, led by Arun Kumar Sahoo (25), a veteran property offender, primarily targeted morning walkers, flower pluckers and women during early hours. Despite losing his right palm in a suspected crude bomb blast, Sahoo organised the gang to continue criminal activities.
Among those arrested are Dipu @ Dipak Bhanj (21), Mila @ Kisan Bhoi (20), Arun Kumar Sahoo (25), Gedu @ Swayamsu Samal (21), and one juvenile.
Seized property includes:
- 70 grams of gold ornaments (8 chains, 1 ring) worth about Rs 12 lakh
- 5 motorcycles, including a newly purchased Yamaha R15 bought with crime proceeds
- 1 billhook (katuri) used in offences
- 5 mobile phones
Police said the stolen ornaments were handed to receivers Sahoo and Samal, who paid low amounts to active snatchers. The arrests mark a major breakthrough in curbing organised chain‑snatching in the city.
