In a startling revelation, the Mohali Police has successfully dismantled a criminal gang that instilled terror in the city using nothing more than a toy pistol. The Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) apprehended three individuals who carried out a series of daring armed robberies, exploiting the fear induced by a fake firearm to steal valuables and even force digital payments from their victims.
The Arrests and Recoveries
Acting on technical surveillance leads, police officials picked up the three accused from the Sector 82 area. The arrested men have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, also known as Guri (33), Bikram Singh alias Gora (26), and Harmanpreet Singh alias Gagana (31). All three hail from the Ludhiana district.
Following the arrests, the police conducted raids and made significant recoveries linked to the crimes. The seized items include the dummy pistol used to threaten victims, two gold chains, four mobile phones (among which were iPhone 16s models), an HP laptop, and a Nissan Terrano vehicle that was utilized during the robberies.
A Trail of Audacious Crimes
Investigations have uncovered a pattern of bold crimes committed by the gang across Mohali. Their spree began on November 25, when they carjacked a Hyundai Creta at gunpoint near Sector 84. After snatching valuables from the occupants, they abandoned the vehicle in Samrala.
They struck again on December 6, this time targeting victims near Manav Mangal School. Wielding the fake gun, they threatened people and robbed them of their belongings. In the following days, the gang focused on isolated spots, robbing couples near Sector 81 and Chilla Manauli. In a modern twist to their crimes, they forced one victim to transfer Rs 11,000 via Google Pay.
Fake Weapon, Real Fear
"The pistol was fake, but the fear was real," remarked a police officer involved in the case. The gang strategically chose foggy nights and deserted stretches to execute their plans, maximizing the psychological impact of their threats. While the weapon posed no ballistic threat, the victims, faced with what appeared to be a genuine firearm, had no choice but to comply.
Police records indicate that one of the accused, Harmanpreet Singh, has a prior criminal history involving cases of liquor and drug smuggling. The other two arrested individuals were first-time offenders. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests as the probe continues to widen and uncover further connections.
In a separate incident in Panchkula, the Crime Branch of Sector-19 arrested a man named Rohit, also known as Vinodi, from Rajiv Colony. He was wanted since August for a house theft in Sector-17 that occurred while the owner was on a trip to Vaishno Devi. During interrogation, he confessed to being involved in four more theft cases and one snatching case. The police have secured a two-day remand to recover stolen jewellery and identify his accomplices.
