Dhaka: The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested four people, including a housewife accused of masterminding a sensational robbery in Kamrangirchar, and recovered part of the looted cash and gold ornaments, police said on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the arrested individuals are Jasmin alias Jesmin, 37, alleged to be the planner of the robbery, Sajib Alam, 29, Ripon Mia, 42, and Faruk Khan, 50. Police recovered Tk 220,000 in cash, a pair of gold earrings, a pair of bangles, a bracelet, a pair of churis, a pair of jhumkas, and a pair of gold ornaments known as pasha from their possession.
Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Talebur Rahman of Lalbagh Division explained that the robbery occurred at a flat in Mahdinagar under Kamrangirchar Police Station on July 18. Five men entered the apartment on the pretext of inspecting it for rent, subsequently tying up and assaulting three women before fleeing with approximately Tk 20 lakh in cash, about three bhori of gold ornaments, and four mobile phones.
Rahman stated that investigators reviewed CCTV footage and used intelligence inputs to identify the suspects. Based on the investigation, police first arrested Sajib Alam from the Muslimbagh area shortly after midnight on July 22. Information obtained from him led to the arrests of Ripon Mia and Faruk Khan, from whom police recovered Tk 200,000 in cash and the stolen gold ornaments.
The deputy commissioner revealed that the robbery had been orchestrated by Jesmin, a resident of the seventh floor of the same building where the victims lived. Jesmin, being a regular visitor to the victims' flat, was aware that a large amount of cash was kept there. She planned the robbery, coordinated with her associates, welcomed the gang into the building on the day of the incident, ensured their safe escape, and later returned to console the victims. Jesmin even became a witness in the case to avoid suspicion. Police also recovered Tk 20,000 from Jesmin after her arrest.
According to the DMP official, eight people were involved in the robbery. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects, while legal proceedings against those arrested are in progress.