Interstate mobile theft gang busted; 14 phones worth ₹9 lakh recovered

Two interstate offenders involved in a series of mobile phone thefts have been arrested by the Whitefield police. The police also recovered 14 stolen mobile phones worth approximately ₹9 lakh from the offenders’ possession.

The case was registered on January 24, 2026, following a complaint by a Mahadevapura resident. The complainant stated that on January 23 at around 9.25 p.m., he boarded a BMTC bus from Brigade Innovation Zone to Whitefield. By the time the bus reached Hope Farm Signal at around 10 p.m., he realised that his iPhone 15 Plus, kept in his pocket, had been stolen.

Acting swiftly, police launched a multi-angle investigation and apprehended two suspects within an hour of registering the case near a lodge on Hosur Road within the station limits. The accused were found carrying a bag containing multiple stolen mobile phones.

During interrogation, the duo allegedly confessed to stealing phones from passengers travelling in BMTC buses. They also admitted to committing thefts during a live music concert held on January 23 within the limits of the Channarayapatna Police Station.

The police said a total of 14 mobile phones of various brands, valued at ₹9 lakh, were seized. On January 25, both accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

With these arrests, one case registered at Whitefield Police Station and 13 cases at Channarayapatna Police Station — a total of 14 mobile theft cases — have been detected.

However, a third accused, believed to be part of the same gang, is absconding and is reportedly hiding in New Delhi. The accused are said to be natives of New Delhi and would fly down to Karnataka to target large gatherings such as music concerts and crowded public transport before returning.

One of the victims, a 29-year-old YouTuber who had gone to cover the concert along with a friend and lost his iPhone in the incident, claimed that his stolen phone is still active in Delhi. He said he attempted to trace the device using Google Maps and Street View in a bid to recover his data, as the phone remains locked.

The victim further alleged that he approached the Shahdara Police Station, Delhi, along with officers from Whitefield and Channarayapatna police stations and shared details of the accused, but no concrete action has been taken so far. “The police can easily track them down using travel history and technical data, but no one is ready to take the initiative,” the victim rued.

Further investigation is under way to trace and arrest the absconding accused.