The Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested three hardcore criminals while they were hatching a plan to commit loot in Nayapalli area in the city. A 9 mm pistol, two live bullets and a stolen Bajaj Pulsar bike were seized from their possession, police said.
Police sources said the accused identified as Sanjay Jena (32) and Sushant Mallick (34), both of Niali, besides Dhananjay Panda of Angul, were working in the dreaded Madha Khuntia gang. They are involved in several serious crimes, including murder and dacoity.
Sanjay and Sushant are hardcore criminals who were involved in more than 10 crimes in Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Jajpur and Angul. They were involved in petrol a pump bombing case in Balipatna in 2012 and a murder case in Niali in 2013, said the police.
According to Twin City Police Commissioner Dr RP Sharma, the criminals were engaged in serious crimes in various districts of the State for the last 10 years. Three Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) were pending against Sanjay while five NBWs were slapped against Sushant for repeatedly committing heinous crimes, Dr Sharma said.
Though the special squad of the Commissionerate Police arrested the three, two others are absconding. “Efforts are on to nab the absconding culprits as well as to ascertain if there are members in the gang,” Sharma said.