more-in The City police on Monday arrested a five-member notorious robbery gang that is suspected to have broken into the several houses in various districts. Those arrested were identified as Nazarudeen alias Azhar, 31, of Beemappally; Suneer, 33, of Azhikode in Nedumangad; Renjith alias Chakku, 22, of Kazhakuttam; Abdul Khader alias Tube Khader of Beemappally; and Siraj, 22, of Milk Colony in Beemappally. They were apprehended by the Shadow Police team during an investigation into the theft of cash amounting to ?3 lakh and appliances worth ?5 lakh from a house in Thumba, soon after its house-warming on Thursday. Break-ins They were subsequently handed over to the Thumba police, where their arrests were recorded. According to District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram city) P. Prakash, the gang has been involved in as many as nine robberies across the State during the last one-and-a-half months. These included break-ins that were reported from houses and commercial establishments in Nedumangad, Aluva and Kollam. Their modus operandi involved using rented cars for decamping with the stolen goods. The police confiscated three vehicles and several appliances that were allegedly stolen by the accused. The accused persons got together while serving jail terms for various cases. Mastermind The suspected gang leader, Nazarudeen, has been involved in around 50 theft cases that were registered in the Poonthura, Fort, Vizhinjam and Valiyathura police stations. Suneer is believed to have masterminded the robberies and also sold off many of the stolen goods. After completing his jail term, he managed to obtain bail for Nazarudeen, Abdul Khader and Renjith, who were all arrested in various cases. Mr. Prakash said much of the stolen gold ornaments were allegedly sold at various financial institutions, while the other goods were often peddled at Beemappally. He added that the police would intensify their efforts against such gangs prior to the Onam festive season.

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