Dimapur: The Dimapur police issued a public alert today to warn citizens about money-snatching gangs operating in and around Nagaland‘s Dimapur, Assam, and neighboring states.
The alert comes after multiple reports of such thefts were filed across police stations in Dimapur’s commissionerate districts.
Following investigations into these frequent cases, the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) has revealed the gang’s modus operandi.
According to a press release, surveillance footage showed that one or two gang members enter banks pretending to be customers and target potential victims.
They specifically focus on lone, elderly, or vulnerable customers withdrawing money. Once a target is chosen, they trail them and relay information to accomplices waiting outside the bank.
When the target exits the bank with their cash, the outside gang members distract them using various tactics.
These include spraying colored itching chemicals, deliberately dropping cash or wallets, and falsely claiming the customer’s clothes are stained or that they’ve dropped their belongings.
While the target is distracted, another gang member snatches their cash or valuables and flees the scene.
The initial investigation suggests these gangs operate across state borders, likely originating from neighbouring districts in Assam.
Police have reviewed all available CCTV footage and are working to identify the culprits. Images of the suspects have been released by Dimapur police, who urge the public to share any information regarding their identity or whereabouts to aid in the investigation.