RAIGARH, October 27: A GPS tracker secretly placed inside a sugar sack helped Raigarh police bust an alleged gang targeting government-run fair-price shops and stealing rice and sugar across villages. Police have arrested five accused, including four alleged thieves and a suspected buyer of stolen goods. They have seized 115 sacks of rice, two sacks of sugar and two cars, with the total value of the seized property estimated at ₹38.60 lakh.
The breakthrough came after a theft at a fair-price shop in Kotmara village during the intervening night of October 25 and 26. Unaware that one of the stolen sugar sacks contained a GPS tracker, the accused drove away with it, allowing police to track their movements and trace the stolen goods to Pathalgaon in neighbouring Jashpur district.
The operation exposed an alleged network involved in stealing essential commodities from government ration shops in the Pusaur police station area of Raigarh district. According to police, the accused admitted their involvement in three theft cases in the region. Investigators are now examining their possible links to other incidents.
Five Accused Arrested
The arrested men have been identified as Sewal Kujur (52), Sameer Alam (26), Mohammed Hafeez (26), Santosh Kumar Maheshwari (33) and Damrudhar Khunte (36).
Police suspect that Kujur purchased the stolen goods, while the other four allegedly carried out the thefts.
Repeated burglaries at fair-price shops in several villages had prompted shop operators to approach senior police officers and seek action. An analysis of the incidents suggested that the suspects travelled in fast-moving vehicles, targeted ration shops at night and fled soon after stealing essential commodities.
Police Suggested GPS Trackers After CCTV Proved Expensive
Pusaur police station in-charge Harshvardhan Singh Baish advised fair-price shop operators to strengthen security by installing CCTV cameras and GPS trackers.
However, installing CCTV systems proved expensive for several shop operators. Police subsequently explained how relatively inexpensive GPS devices could help track stolen goods and assist investigations.
Acting on this advice, a GPS tracker was concealed inside a sugar sack. Investigators had noticed that thieves often took sugar sacks first during such burglaries, making them a suitable option for placing the tracking device.
GPS Signals Led Police to Pathalgaon
When the Kotmara ration shop was targeted during the night of October 25-26, the accused unknowingly stole the sugar sack containing the hidden tracker.
Police registered a case and began monitoring the GPS signals. The trail first led investigators towards Dharamjaigarh and subsequently to Pathalgaon, where the stolen sack was recovered from Kujur.
During questioning, Kujur allegedly told police that Hafeez, Alam, Khunte and Maheshwari left stolen goods with him for sale.
Acting on this information, police conducted raids in Pathalgaon and nearby areas, leading to the arrest of all five accused.
Police also seized a Hyundai Creta and a Toyota Innova allegedly used in the thefts. Sacks of rice were found inside the vehicles.
Preliminary questioning indicated that the accused had allegedly sold stolen goods to Kujur on earlier occasions as well.
Seized Property Worth ₹38.60 Lakh
According to police, the recovered rice and sugar are valued at approximately ₹3.60 lakh, while the two seized vehicles are estimated to be worth ₹35 lakh.
The total value of the seized property stands at ₹38.60 lakh.
Cases relating to burglary and theft have been registered. Police have also added Sections 317(4), 111 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with offences involving stolen property and organised criminal activity.
Gang Linked to Three Theft Cases
The investigation has linked the accused to three theft cases, including incidents at government ration shops in Kotmara and Nawapara.
Police are investigating whether the gang was involved in other thefts reported across the region. Investigators also suspect possible links with groups operating between Pathalgaon and Sitapur.
SSP Highlights Role of Technology and Public Cooperation
Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said the operation demonstrated the importance of coordination between police and local residents, along with the use of technology in crime prevention.
He said police would continue to take action against organised gangs, recover stolen property and investigate the role of individuals assisting such criminal activities.
The accused are being produced before the court, and police are seeking their remand for further questioning. The investigation is ongoing.
