Railway police in Sambalpur have arrested a youth who posed as a railway employee and allegedly stole mobile phones from passengers on running trains.
The accused, identified as Dinesh Nag (21) of Tora village under Baragada district, had been impersonating a railway staffer for over six months. He frequently travelled on trains at night, particularly on routes between Jharsuguda and Balangir, targeting passengers asleep during journeys.
Police said Dinesh would quietly steal phones from pockets and bags, later using one of the stolen devices himself. Complaints from victims led investigators to track him down. He was arrested at Bargarh railway station.
During the arrest, police seized 12 stolen mobile phones, a forged railway identity card, a railway uniform, a whistle, and a green flag used to impersonate staff. A case has been registered under Sambalpur GRP Case No. 97/2026, and further investigation is underway to determine if others were involved.
