Two hard core criminals nabbed

Bhubaneswar, Dec 22 (UNI) Two hard core criminals involved in a number of dacoity and robbery cases in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Dhenkanal districts, who were arrested and produced before a court today.

Khurda Superintendent of Police Amitabh Thakur told reporters the duo-Debasis Samuel James alias Lambu and B Dhanraj Kumar alias Raja were arrested from a rented house at Khandagiri during a raid last night. The police recovered Rs 1.12 lakh from their possession.

The SP said James was involved in at least six crimes between 2001 and 2005 and was convicted for 28 months in one case.

James admitted to the police during interrogation that he had committed nine robberies in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Dhenkanal after he was released in December 2005.

The major robberies included the Rs 12.5 lakh robbery in Kharvela nagar fish market, 1.5 kg gold theft in Kamakhyamagar and Rs 4 lakh robbery from Falcon house in Sahid nagar.

Acting on a tip off, a seven-member team, headed by city DSP Sarat Sahu constituted for the purpose, raided the house and arrested the duo.

The SP said at the time of the arrest both James and Dhanraj were planning for two major crimes-to rob a patrol pump in Cuttack and a poultry farm at Phulnakhara.

Mr Thakur said both the criminals were arrested under 393 and 394 of IPC 25/27 of Indian Arms Act and 9 (b) of India explosive Act.

The police had already arrested seven members of his gang so far and all the criminals were now in custody.

UNI