Ranchi Petrol Pump Robberies: Masked Gang Strikes Multiple Outlets in Late-Night Spree
In a concerning development for urban security, Ranchi witnessed a coordinated series of late-night attacks on Tuesday as a gang of bike-borne criminals targeted multiple petrol pumps and local establishments across the city. The incidents have triggered significant alarm over security measures in Ranchi's outskirts, particularly at fuel stations operating during nighttime hours.
Chronology of the Robberies
According to police reports, the criminal spree began at the Dream Point petrol pump located in the Chuttu area near Ranchi Ring Road. Between midnight and 12:10 AM, masked assailants looted Rs 2,17,130 from this establishment. Notably, this same fuel station had previously been targeted in June 2021 when approximately Rs 85,000 was stolen, as confirmed by manager Chandan Sarmah.
The gang then proceeded to the Shubham Shilpi Petrol Pump near BIT Mesra, where they executed another robbery at approximately 12:20 AM. At this location, they stole Rs 2,000 in cash and additionally refueled their motorcycle with petrol worth Rs 1,000. Both these incidents occurred under the jurisdiction of the BIT Mesra police outpost.
CCTV Evidence and Modus Operandi
Outpost in-charge Ajay Kumar Das provided crucial details about the criminals' methods. CCTV footage reveals three masked men arriving on a motorcycle, accompanied by two others approaching on foot. The assailants threatened staff members, chased them to cash counters, and systematically looted the money. Das noted that the two men on foot likely arrived in a vehicle not visible in the surveillance footage.
The criminal spree continued as the gang moved toward Ormanjhi, where they robbed a betel shop of Rs 6,000 at approximately 1:15 AM. During this incident, the shopkeeper sustained injuries from a sharp weapon wielded by the attackers.
Their final target was a GAIL CNG petrol pump in Tatisilwai, where they successfully looted Rs 12,000 before fleeing the scene. Police teams are currently examining CCTV footage from all locations and gathering forensic evidence to identify and apprehend the culprits.
Police Response and Investigation
Officers from both Ormanjhi and Tatisilwai police stations suspect the same criminal gang was responsible for all incidents. "Though verification is underway, the appearance of the suspects in CCTV footage across different locations appears remarkably similar," stated Ormanjhi police station in-charge S B Chaudhury.
In response to these security breaches, police have significantly intensified late-night patrolling in Ranchi's outskirts and accelerated their investigation efforts. Ranchi (rural) Superintendent of Police Praveen Pushkar emphasized, "Specialized teams have been deployed to establish the identities of these criminals with the objective of making arrests in the shortest possible timeframe."
Broader Security Concerns
These incidents represent part of a disturbing pattern, with four similar petrol pump robberies reported in the past three days alone. This trend has raised serious questions about security protocols at fuel stations operating during nighttime hours across the region.
The South Chotanagpur petroleum dealers association has formally demanded enhanced police security at fuel stations during night operations. Rajhans Mishra, president of the association, expressed the collective anxiety among dealers: "The repeated looting incidents at fuel stations have created widespread panic among all petroleum dealers. We have urgently requested the district administration and police department to implement enhanced security measures; otherwise, we may be compelled to close stations during nighttime hours for safety reasons."
This coordinated criminal activity highlights vulnerabilities in urban security infrastructure and underscores the need for comprehensive measures to protect commercial establishments operating during late hours.
