Siliguri, 24th September: Two accused were arrested 16 days after a couple’s bag was allegedly snatched while they were travelling in a moving e-rickshaw from NJP railway station towards their home in Dagapur. Police have recovered a stolen iPhone and around 4.50 grams of gold from the accused following interrogation in police custody.
The arrested accused have been identified as Raja Das and Abhijit Yadav, both residents of Pati Colony in Ward No. 47 of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, according to police sources.
According to police, the incident took place on the morning of September 4, when the couple was returning from Kolkata and travelling by e-rickshaw from NJP railway station towards Dagapur. Police said two youths on a scooter allegedly followed the couple from NJP station and kept watch on their movements.
The two youths allegedly snatched the woman’s handbag while the couple was travelling along Hill Cart Road and fled on the scooter.
The couple lodged a written complaint at Siliguri police station on September 6, following which police began an investigation. Investigators examined CCTV footage from Hill Cart Road and other areas and identified the two accused.
Based on information received from a confidential source, police conducted a raid in the Pati Colony area on September 19 and arrested Raja Das and Abhijit Yadav. They were subsequently produced before the Siliguri court and taken into five days of police custody.
Following interrogation, police raided Raja Das’s house on Wednesday night based on information provided by the accused and recovered the stolen iPhone and around 4.50 grams of gold.
Police sources claimed that the two accused used to keep watch on passengers travelling by e-rickshaw from NJP railway station in the morning and allegedly targeted passengers travelling in moving e-rickshaws when they found an opportunity.
Police have also initiated the process of handing over the recovered items to the complainant couple after completion of the necessary legal formalities.
