Hyderabad, May 16 (Maxim News): The Kanchanbagh police busted an organized interstate mobile phone snatching and pickpocketing gang involved in multiple theft cases across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and surrounding areas. Police arrested six persons and recovered stolen mobile phones, spare parts, a motorcycle and other incriminating material from their possession.
The case came to light after Syed Nazeer Ahmed lodged a complaint on April 15, 2026, stating that unidentified persons on a motorcycle snatched his Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 mobile phone near DMRL X Road under Kanchanbagh police station limits.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case in Crime No.78/2026 under Sections 304 and 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigation teams immediately began collecting evidence.
Police examined CCTV footage, tracked suspect movements, analyzed technical data and conducted extensive field inquiries. During the probe, officers uncovered a well organized mobile snatching network operating across Hyderabad and nearby regions.
The arrested accused were identified as Ambata Naresh alias Kavati Naresh, Banala Arun Kumar alias Nani, Mekala Chiranjeevi alias Chiru, Thota Suri alias Suresh alias Surya, Thota Chandu and receiver Sandeep Jaiswal.
Police said several other gang members, including Thota Vasanth, Shashi and Prem, are absconding. Search operations are continuing to trace them.
Gang Targeted Crowded Areas
According to investigators, the gang mainly targeted crowded locations such as RTC bus stations, bus stops, markets, tiffin centres and busy roads. Elderly persons and bus passengers were specifically targeted.
The accused operated in teams with separate roles. Spotters identified vulnerable targets while surveillance members monitored police movement. Snatchers stole phones from shirt pockets and handbags using newspapers and shopping covers to conceal their actions and faces. Motorcycle riders helped the gang escape quickly after committing the offence.
Police said the gang also created distractions by dropping currency notes near victims or surrounding passengers in crowded areas. The stolen phones were later sold to mobile handlers and repair shops for prices ranging between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000.
Investigators revealed that the gang dismantled several expensive smartphones into spare parts before selling them in the grey market. The accused mainly targeted premium phones, including Samsung Fold series, iPhones, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, Redmi and Iqoo devices.
During the raids, police recovered 132 batteries, 172 mobile bodies without motherboards and 73 camera modules belonging to different smartphone brands. Officers also seized several stolen smartphones, including one iPhone, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, Redmi, Poco, OnePlus and Iqoo devices.
One Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle used in the offences, mobile phone pouches, stolen phone records and other evidence were also seized.
Police said many of the arrested persons were habitual offenders with previous cases registered in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. One accused was earlier booked under the NDPS Act.
Rajendranagar Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police appreciated the Kanchanbagh police team for successfully detecting the organized gang through technical investigation and coordinated field operations.
Police appealed to the public not to keep costly mobile phones in shirt pockets or easily accessible places while travelling in crowded areas. Citizens were also advised not to purchase second hand mobile phones without valid bills or documents and to immediately report suspicious activities to Dial 100 or nearby police stations. (Maxim News)
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