Mobile phone theft network spanning five states busted, 3 arrested

Indore: What began as an investigation into a stolen mobile phone in Dewas led police to a mobile phone theft network spanning five states and 22 districts and the recovery of 400 stolen smartphones worth around Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 6 lakh in cash.Three men have been arrested and police are also probing suspected smuggling of the stolen devices abroad.The police investigation had started after 28-year-old Somesh Joshi, a resident of Jaishree Nagar in Dewas, reported that his Android phone had been stolen from his pocket while he was having breakfast at a food joint on AB Road on Sept 13. A case was registered at Kotwali police station on Sept 15 under a relevant section of the BNS.Dewas SP Puneet Gehlot said that the breakthrough came after police examined CCTV footage of two mobile thefts reported in the district. Tracking the suspects seen in the footage eventually led investigators from the local theft cases to a wider network involved in stealing, collecting and illegally trading mobile phones across multiple states.The accused were identified as Manish Pardi (26) of Khalayda village in Ujjain district, currently residing in Alwasa under Banganga police station in Indore; Suraj Singh Pardi (30) also of Khalayda village; and Shubham Rathore (28) of Transport Nagar and Rishi Palace in Dwarkapuri, Indore. Rathore has allegedly been identified as the main receiver in the network.A special team led by Kotwali inspector Shashikant Chaurasia was formed and police subsequently widened the investigation from the persons allegedly carrying out the thefts to those collecting the stolen phones and arranging their illegal buying and sale. According to police, gang members targeted crowded markets, railway stations and other public places.The SP said that the investigation first led police to Manish Pardi, whose interrogation revealed that he was in contact with a man in Dwarkapuri through a WhatsApp number. The number was switched off, prompting police to conduct an IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Records) analysis, which led them to Shubham Rathore’s number. A search of Rathore’s house resulted in the recovery of 400 smartphones, including Android phones of different brands and iPhones, estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 crore besides Rs 6 lakh in cash.Police found that Rathore had travelled to Bengal, Bihar and Nepal over the past six to seven months. He reportedly works as a halwai and prepares food, but investigators are now examining his movements and contacts to establish the wider network. Rathore is currently on remand.Investigators believe the network is much larger than what the profiles of the arrested accused initially suggested. The network has been linked to Dewas, Indore, Ujjain, Dhar and Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh; Mumbai-Thane, Nashik, Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra; Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Navsari and Dahej in Gujarat; Jaipur and Ajmer in Rajasthan; and Daman.Police said stolen phones were transported through different channels to Rathore in Indore. He allegedly acted as the main receiver, collecting the devices and arranging their further illegal sale.During the investigation, police also found information suggesting that phones collected in Indore may have been supplied abroad through other agents. Investigators are questioning the accused to establish the suspected international smuggling route and identify others involved in the network. The individual devices are being verified to establish their original theft cases and the complete supply chain through which they reached the accused.Rathore has eight previous cases listed against him, including theft, burglary, receiving stolen property, an Arms Act case and cases involving assault and intimidation registered at Tukoganj, Vijay Nagar, Dwarkapuri, Annapurna, Tejajinagar and Chandan Nagar police stations in Indore.Suraj Singh has two previous cases registered at Ghatiya police station in Ujjain. Manish Pardi has a previous case under the Arms Act registered at Raghvi police station in Ujjain.BOXRemain cautious, advise copsDewas police have appealed to people to remain cautious with mobile phones and other valuables in crowded markets and public places. Police have advised people not to buy second-hand phones from unknown persons without verifying ownership and a valid bill. In case of mobile theft, people have been advised to immediately report it to the nearest police station and use the Sanchar Saathi portal to block the stolen device. Suspicious activity can also be reported on Dial-112.PointersHow the case UnfoldedProbe starts with case of one stolen mobile phone in DewasCCTV footage helped police trace the suspects and arrest Manish Pardi.Pardi revealed a Dwarkapuri contact; IPDR analysis of a switched-off WhatsApp number led police to Shubham RathoreSearch at Rathore’s house resulted in the recovery of stolen phones,Police suspect stolen phones were being collected in Indore & may have been routed through agents for smuggling abroadYou Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Indore | Silver Rate in Indore | Bank Holidays in Indore | Public Holidays in Indore | Petrol Price in Indore | Diesel Price in Indore | CNG Price in Indore | LPG Price in IndoreStay updated with the latest Indore news. Download the TOI App.