The city police have succeeded in identifying the group which masterminded and was involved in repeated incidents of crime like chain snatching, dacoity and robbery in the city and its adjoining areas during last two years Bada Bazar police station IIC Nihar Ranjan Mohanty told reporters on Friday that the police arrested the mastermind of the group Jitu Gouda earlier on the day.
The others of the group are identified as Debasis Sahu alias Kanha; Abhisekh Sahu, a native of Dakshinpur; Purnna Das of village Kanchuru; Santosh Gouda of Dakshinpur; Santosh Muli and Santosh Achari of the old bus stand area; and Saikh Saanu of Khaza Street.
There are several cases pending against Jitu Gouda in different police stations of Ganjam district such as Bada Bazar, Sadar and Digapahandi police stations.
The police recovered some stolen properties from the accused which include 50 grams of gold, two cell phones, a mouser, a Khoka, three bullets and a red-coloured Hero Honda Passion OR-02-1457 and registered a case.
Two of the gang, Abhisekh Sahu and Saikh Saanu who reportedly looted `1.20 lakh from AirTel showroom under the Bada Bazar police station at mouser point, are already in jail while search is on to nab the remaining associates of the group, Mohanty said.