18 Goats Stolen: Inter-District Gang Member Nabbed in Pratapgarh
Pratapgarh police arrest Mohammad Mujeeb, a member of an inter-district gang responsible for stealing 18 goats and a motorcycle from Prayagraj.
In a major crackdown on livestock theft, the Pratapgarh police have arrested a key member of an inter-district gang that had been terrorizing local villagers. The accused, identified as Mohammad Mujeeb, son of Moharram and a resident of Nanaiya Rahtikar in the Udaipur police station area, was apprehended following a series of daring thefts involving livestock and vehicles.
The Midnight Heist That Triggered the Hunt
The investigation began after a theft occurred on the midnight between October 30 and 31. A resident of Udapur village, Vajhul Qamar, reported that three goats and one nanny goat had been stolen from his home, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Jethwara police station.
The theft sparked an immediate reaction from the local community. Alert villagers launched a search operation in the vicinity and managed to intercept a white Swift car in Chamrupur Pathan village. While three of the suspects managed to evade capture and flee the scene, the villagers successfully apprehended one individual, identified as Deepak Gaur. Gaur was handed over to the police along with the vehicle used in the crime, leading to the registration of a formal case at the Jethwara police station.
The Police Operation and Arrest
Under the strategic direction of Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar, a specialized team was tasked with hunting down the remaining gang members. The team, led by Station House Officer Santosh Kumar Singh and including Sub-Inspector Pawan Kumar Yadav and Constable Arvind Kumar, acted on a critical tip-off.
This intelligence led the police to the Ashapur turn, where they successfully intercepted and arrested Mohammad Mujeeb. During the subsequent interrogation, Mujeeb broke down and confessed to his involvement in a wider network of criminal activities.
A Spree of Theft Across Multiple Villages
Mujeeb revealed that he did not act alone but worked in collaboration with three other associates. He admitted to a systematic campaign of livestock theft across various villages in the Pratapgarh region. The gang's haul included a total of 18 goats stolen from the following locations:
- Bhikhampur
- Udapur
- Saraybhimsan Jahanpur
- Chamrupur Pathan
- Balipur Parsan
Beyond Livestock: The Prayagraj Connection
The investigation took an unexpected turn when police recovered a motorcycle from the accused. Upon verification, it was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen from Gate Number 1 of Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj. A case regarding this specific theft had already been registered at the Civil Lines police station in Prayagraj.
As a result of these discoveries, Mohammad Mujeeb now faces multiple charges of theft across both the Jethwara and Civil Lines (Prayagraj) police stations. While one member is in custody, the authorities have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the remaining absconding members of the inter-district gang.