Soro Police Arrest Three Inter-District Snatchers Along With Gold Merchant

Soro Police Arrest Three Inter-District Snatchers Along With Gold Merchant

CNB WORLD TIMES

Balasore, July 22: In a major breakthrough, the Soro Police have dismantled an inter-district snatching and robbery gang by arresting four accused, including a gold merchant allegedly involved in purchasing stolen gold ornaments.

According to police, the arrested accused are involved in more than 15 cases of robbery, snatching and theft registered at various police stations in Soro, Balasore Sadar, Balasore Town and parts of Mayurbhanj district.

During the operation, police seized ₹1,04,500 in cash, around 15 grams of gold ornaments, nearly 1 kg of silver, a scooty and a black Pulsar motorcycle allegedly used in the crimes.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

• Chandan (Tutun) Behera (21)
• Manoranjan (Papu) Mallick (28)
• Ravinarayan (Teru) Behera (28)
• Sritam (Silu) Rana (24), a gold merchant accused of purchasing the stolen ornaments.

The accused were produced before the Soro court on Monday.

Case Background

Police said the district had witnessed a series of snatching incidents over the last three to four months, with criminals targeting mobile phones, gold chains and motorcycles. Acting on the directions of the Balasore Superintendent of Police, a special squad was constituted at Soro Police Station to crack the cases.

The breakthrough came during the investigation of Soro Police Station Case No. 579/2026, registered on July 18, 2026, following a chain-snatching incident at Raipur village.

In the incident, a woman identified as Saradhabali Jena was plucking flowers in the morning when two unidentified men riding a black Pulsar motorcycle allegedly snatched her gold chain and fled from the spot.

Investigation

During the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage and gathered technical and other evidence. Based on these leads, the special squad apprehended the accused during evening patrolling.

Police also arrested a jewellery trader, Sritam (Silu) Rana, for allegedly purchasing the stolen gold ornaments. During searches, officers recovered melted gold believed to have been made from the stolen jewellery, cash worth ₹1.04 lakh, the motorcycle used in the crime and other precious metal articles.

Police Findings

According to officials, the gang mainly targeted women who were alone during the early morning hours, especially those on morning walks or plucking flowers when pedestrian movement was minimal.

Police suspect the gang's involvement in 15 to 20 snatching and robbery cases across Balasore and neighbouring districts. Officials said more stolen property is expected to be recovered after the accused are taken on police remand. The investigation is continuing.

Legal Action

Police have registered cases against Chandan Behera, Manoranjan Mallick and Ravinarayan Behera under Sections 304(2), 111(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while Sritam Rana has been booked under Section 317(4) of the BNS.