Scrap collectors by day, robbers by night: six-member gang arrested in Anantapur

Anantapur police on Saturday arrested six members of an inter-state gang allegedly involved in 13 theft cases reported from across Andhra Pradesh and recovered valuables worth around ₹60,000 from their possession.

Anantapur Superintendent of Police P. Jagadish told the media that the police seized 393 grams of gold jewellery, 100 grams of silver ornaments and Rs 1.49 lakh in cash from the gang members.

The gang allegedly used two distinct methods to target victims.

One of the accused, Chittemma, a habitual offender, allegedly specialized in stealing bags from women and elderly passengers traveling in buses, autorickshaws, bus stations and other crowded places.

Posing as passengers, the gang members deliberately bumped into the victims to distract them before making off with handbags containing cash and jewellery.

The other five accused allegedly operated by impersonating scrap collectors. Their modus operandi was to move around residential areas, identify locked houses, break into them and steal valuables.

The SP said the arrest helped crack 13 cases, including 11 registered at Gooty police station and one each in Anantapur III and Uravakonda town.

The gang’s involvement in similar criminal activities in neighboring states will also be investigated, he said.

Additional SP M Nagabhushanam and Deputy SP (Guntakal) A. Srinivas were also present.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 19:01 IST