Gang linked to 50-plus robberies exposed after daring heist, police probe interstate crime connections.
In a dramatic breakthrough, the Madanayakanahalli police have arrested three men accused of staging a jewellery store heist using nothing more than a toy gun. The daring robbery, which initially caused panic in the area, has now revealed the gang’s long history of crime spanning multiple districts.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Rafiq, Mohammed Ibtekhar, and Ramshad. According to police, the trio hails from Udupi, Mangaluru, and Odisha, and had been active in Bengaluru city, its rural outskirts, and other parts of Karnataka. Investigations revealed that they were habitual offenders linked to more than 50 cases of robbery and theft.
The most recent incident occurred when the gang targeted a jewellery shop on Magadi Road, Machohalli. Armed with a plastic toy gun, they threatened the shopkeepers and fled with about 90 grams of gold jewellery, valued at nearly ₹30 lakh. To aid their escape, the robbers used two cars, making it initially difficult for police to track their movements.
While three members of the gang have been apprehended, police sources confirmed that efforts are underway to trace and arrest other suspects who may have been involved in planning or executing the heist. Authorities are also probing whether the gang had links with interstate criminal networks.
Officials praised the swift action of the Madanayakanahalli police team in cracking the case, stressing that such arrests send a strong message against organized crime. Residents of the area have expressed relief, though concerns remain about the increasing audacity of criminal gangs in Bengaluru’s outskirts.