In a major breakthrough under the ongoing “War Against Criminals” campaign launched by the Chief Minister Punjab and the Director General of Police, Punjab, the SAS Nagar Police has successfully busted a tricity-based robbery and theft gang. The operation was carried out by the Dera Bassi Sub-Division Police, leading to the arrest of five accused involved in multiple criminal cases, said SSP SAS Nagar, Sh. Harmandeep Singh Hans.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ajay Kumar, resident of Mirch Mandi, Rajpura (Patiala); Nasib Kumar @ Maalta, resident of Dheha Colony, Lalru Mandi (SAS Nagar); Saajan @ Binder, resident of Khatik Mohalla, Banur (SAS Nagar); Gopi @ Sillu, resident of Dheha Colony, Lalru (SAS Nagar); and Vicky @ Sagar, resident of Mirch Mandi, Rajpura (Patiala).
The SSP informed that accused Vicky @ Sagar and Ajay Kumar are habitual offenders with extensive criminal backgrounds, having nine and ten cases registered against them respectively. These cases pertain to serious offences including dacoity, theft, snatching, and violations under the NDPS Act.
Accused Gopi @ Sillu also has a prior case of snatching registered against him. Divulging further details, the SSP stated that during the intervening night of April 20–21, a robbery took place at an electrical shop, during which water pumps, batteries, cables, and other valuable items were stolen.
The accused had arrived at the scene on an auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle. During the incident, the shopkeeper was blindfolded and physically assaulted. Following the registration of FIR No. 78 dated 22.04.2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a special investigation team was constituted under the supervision of SP Rural Manpreet Singh and SP Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar.
The team, led by Inspector Yogesh Kumar, SHO Lalru, utilized technical analysis and human intelligence to identify three key accused—Ajay Kumar, Nasib Kumar @ Maalta, and Saajan @ Binder—who were apprehended on April 26 near Gas Plant, Alamgir (Lalru). During preliminary interrogation, the arrested accused disclosed the involvement of two more associates, namely Gopi @ Sillu and Vicky @ Sagar, who were subsequently arrested on April 27.
The police have also recovered a motorcycle used in the commission of the crime. The SSP further stated that with these arrests, several other criminal cases are likely to be solved.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the gang primarily targeted shops during late-night hours and conducted prior reconnaissance to identify vulnerable locations. Further investigation is underway to trace the disposal channels of the stolen property and to identify additional associates involved in the network.