Phone theft at Kochi Alan Walker show: Meticulous plan ruined by iPhone signal

KOCHI: The gangs who got away robbing expensive phones during Alan Walker's music night in Kochi were found to be habitual offenders. It was deemed impossible to catch them as the gang vanished into the labyrinth of north India and left no trace of their crimes. However, Kerala police nabbed the gang from some dreaded gullies in North India.

Two signals received by the Mulavukad police through 'Find My Device' technology from the stolen iPhones led the police to the thieves, who were hiding in the alleys of Delhi and Thane.

1. On the morning of the 7th, the location of an iPhone was revealed in Nedumbassery. By the time the police arrived, the location changed to Mumbai. Police later started collecting details of people who arrived at Kochi airport and railway station on the date of the musical concert.

2. Such cases were not new. It was reported that mobile phones have been stolen from the music shows of Alan Walker and other musicians before. The police reached Mumbai and studied the cases registered there. It was found that the four convicts in the case were in Bolgatty during the day of the concert. Information was collected from the lodge where they stayed.

3. It is clear that Shyam Belwala, who was arrested in Bengaluru in 2022 in a mobile robbery case, was in Kochi during the event. More information on Belwala was taken from Mumbai Mathevapuram station. The location of a stolen iPhone was revealed in Delhi's Chorbazar area and Chandni Chowk. Another team of police from Kerala flew to Delhi.

4. The information of Atiq ur Rehman and Waseem was obtained during the investigation in Chorbazar and other places. It was confirmed that the Daryaganj natives visited Kochi during the musical event. 20 mobile phones were recovered from their residence.

5. Another investigation team reached Mumbai and got Shyam's location. Shyam and Sunny Bhola Yadav were caught from Thane. They will be brought to Kochi on Monday.

City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya extolled the Special Investigation Team and announced a special reward for the team.