IPhone users among prime targets, three held with 66 stolen phones in Delhi
Police said the gang targeted iPhones and then sold the stolen devices on gray markets through a network of buyers. The action follows an investigation into a reported snatching incident near IP Park in southeast Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan area on April 18, in which two motorcycle-borne assailants stole a man’s iPhone 17 Pro.
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An FIR was registered at Sunlight Colony police station and a special team was formed to solve the case. During the investigation, police analyzed CCTV footage, gathered local intelligence and carried out technical surveillance; which led to the arrest of Sameer and Suhail.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said, “During interrogation, the duo revealed that the stolen phone was handed over to a buyer for later destruction. Based on their information, police tracked down and arrested Zahir alias Salman from Chandni Mahal area of Old Delhi.” he said.
It was later stated that his house was raided and 64 stolen mobile phones, 50 of which were iPhones and 14 Androids, were seized. Police said two more mobile phones were seized from Suhail earlier, taking the total number of phones recovered to 66.
According to investigators, Zahir bought the stolen phones from snatchers at a cheap price and later sold them. He told the police that the complainant’s iPhone 17 Pro was sold for 40,000 rupees, adding that efforts were on to trace the buyer and recover the device.
Police said Sameer was previously involved in 16 criminal cases related to snatching, robbery and pickpocketing, while Suhail and Zahir also had previous criminal records. Police said the recovered mobile phones were verified through ZIPNET and CCTNS databases to establish their connection with other cases of theft and snatching in Delhi and surrounding areas.
