In a series of swift police operations, four robbers were arrested in separate encounters in the Vrindavan area of Mathura, where they had been targeting pilgrims, snatching cash and expensive mobile phones before fleeing on unregistered motorcycles.
According to the local police, the suspects were apprehended after a series of robberies that had been taking place in the area, particularly targeting pilgrims traveling through the region. Police reports indicate that three of the arrested suspects sustained bullet injuries during their encounters with law enforcement and are currently hospitalized.
First Encounter: Robbers Apprehended Near Gurukul School
The first pair of robbers were arrested on the night of January 12 in an encounter near Gurukul School in Vrindavan. The suspects, identified as Satish and Rajesh, were caught after they attempted to flee when they saw the police approaching. Authorities recovered stolen items from their possession, including ₹2,000, an Aadhaar card, a mobile phone, and other personal belongings, all taken from a woman pilgrim traveling in an e-rickshaw from Modinagar, Ghaziabad.
In addition to the stolen goods, police also seized a firearm and the unregistered motorcycle used in the robbery. Satish sustained a bullet wound to his leg during the confrontation, and both suspects have been charged under various criminal provisions.
Second Encounter: Motorbike Riders Open Fire on Police
In another incident on January 8, two suspects, Shivam and Mohit (alias Moti), were involved in a purse-snatching robbery targeting a woman pilgrim. The police had been alerted to the use of an unregistered motorcycle by the perpetrators, and when officers attempted to flag down the suspects near Pawan Hans Helipad, the duo opened fire on the police.
The police returned fire, injuring both suspects, who were subsequently arrested. A search of their possession revealed several stolen items, including a mobile phone, power bank, earbud, a firearm, and a Hero Splendor motorcycle. The pair had been linked to at least nine similar robberies in the Vrindavan, Govind Nagar, Goverdhan, and Jaint Police Station areas.
A Series of Robberies Targeting Pilgrims
Superintendent of Police, Arvind Kumar, confirmed that these recent arrests had put a dent in a series of robberies involving unregistered motorcycles that had been plaguing the Vrindavan area. The police have been on high alert following reports of similar crimes and are continuing to pursue leads to capture additional suspects involved in these robberies.
The police have assured residents and pilgrims that the situation is under control, and efforts are underway to further enhance security in the region to prevent future incidents.
Robbers Facing Charges
The arrested suspects from both encounters will face serious charges, including robbery, theft, and attempt to murder. They were produced in court and sent to jail, with further investigations continuing to unearth the full extent of their criminal activities.
This successful series of arrests marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against street crimes in Mathura’s pilgrimage hotspots.
Sources By Agencies