KOCHI: Six thefts within three days. A three-member gang of north Indian thieves, who shocked Kochi, were nabbed while trying to flee the place. The accused have been identified as Mintu Viswas (47), a resident of Khyala Jj Colony in Delhi, Harichandra Santhosh (33), a resident of Hichamapur and Chandra Ben (28), a native of Amravati in Uttar Pradesh. Their method is to arrive via flights, steal and then return on plane. The police have recovered Rs 70,000, 411 dollar notes, mobile phones and two expensive watches from them.

The accused, who arrived from Delhi on April 21, had taken rooms at a lodge where north Indians stayed. The theft at Kadavanthra Jawahar Nagar took place on the day of their arrival. Money and gold jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh was stolen. The next day, they broke into a house at Elamakkara Keerthi Nagar and stole three sovereigns of gold, Rs 8,500 and a mobile phone. The case investigation was conducted by formulating a special team comprising of officers from the Kadavanthra, North and central police stations.

Morning Kochi, night Delhi

The speculation that non-Malayalees were behind the theft had paved the way to trap the culprits. The police have checked the labour camps and lodges where north Indians are staying. The lodge owner has identified the suspected accused from the CCTV footage. The police have acquired Mintu’s name and address.

Things became easier when it was confirmed that Mintu was among those who landed in Kochi on April 21. Three of the accused were nabbed when they came to a vegetarian hotel to have food. It has been found that one of the accused had arrived in Kochi by morning and landed in Delhi at night.

Three rounds, theft

The gang targeted locked houses and steals on their third arrival. They travel by foot. Their appearance resembles officials. They had been wearing the same dress as seen in the CCTV footage, when caught. They also used a scooter. Investigation is on progress to find out whether they had received any local assistance from the area.