The City Police have arrested three members of  Chaddi-baniyan  gang, including its kingpin, all natives of Gujarat. According to police, the gang has allegedly committed around 20 house break-ins across the State since 2010.

The arrested have been identified as Madiya Kamil (25), the leader of the gang, Mandod Sumalabhai (26) and Sathrabhai Rumal Bhai (30), all hailing from Gulbar village in Dahod district of Gujarat. Another five members of the gang are yet to be arrested, City Police Commissioner Mahesh Chandra Laddha said.

Among the 20 cases, one was registered at Nelluru in 2010, one at Khammam in 2014, two crimes were committed in Tirupati this year. The rest 16 cases were reported from Gajuwaka, Duvvada, PM Palem, Arilova, Bheemili since 2015.

The property lost in the house break-ins included 1,500 grams of gold, 4,500 grams of silver and ₹30,000 in cash. The police have recovered 400 grams of silver and an iron rod from the accused.

 The Chaddi-baniyan gang has committed nine offences this year alone. The members reach South Indian cities in trains or jeeps and commit offences, irrespective of season or month. Unlike other gangs, they do not stay in lodges or hotels, but choose isolated places, bushes, slums and etc,  Mr. Laddha told the media here.

Modus operandi

Explaining about the modus operandi, the Police Commissioner said the gang would conduct recce in the morning and identify the locked houses.

 They would break the locks of the houses by iron rods in the night and make good with the valuables. The gang is dangerous as they attack residents with iron rods and stones, if resisted. They do not stay at a place more than 10 days,  he said.

In all the crimes allegedly committed by the gang in the city, the members stayed in isolated places near Duvvada railway station, Madhurwada and etc., the police said.

 The gang allegedly has committed crimes at gated community colonies, apartments, group houses on the city outskirts. Police teams from South Crime Sub-divsion worked for months before zeroing on the gang members,  Mr. Laddha said.

The accused have been sent to judicial remand after arrest. Though the recovery is less, the police are planning to take them into custody again, he added.

20 cases solved

Meanwhile, the City Police have arrested 10 people for their alleged involvement in around 20 offences such as thefts, stealing vehicles among others, reported from Pendurthi, Gajuwaka, Gopalpatnam and Yelamanchali.

 In a case, four people including the kingpin of the gang, P. Jogi Babu, hailing from East Godavari district, allegedly stole tractors and trailers,  another police officer said.