Mohammadpur Robbery Ring Busted

A robbery gang that allegedly travelled from Narayanganj to the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka to carry out targeted street robberies has been uncovered during a police investigation into a recent mugging incident involving two sisters, law enforcement officials said.

The information was disclosed on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre on Minto Road. Investigators said members of the gang had adopted an unusual strategy to avoid identification and arrest. Rather than remaining in the capital after committing crimes, they would travel from Narayanganj to Mohammadpur in a pickup truck, carry out robberies, and then immediately return to Narayanganj.

The investigation began after two sisters became victims of a robbery in front of their residence on Noorjahan Road in Mohammadpur during the early hours of 31 May. The women had just returned to Dhaka from Thakurgaon after spending the Eid holidays with family. According to police, a group of assailants threatened them with machetes and forcibly took a trolley bag, a handbag and other belongings before fleeing the scene.

Following the incident, detectives reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding area and launched an operation to identify those responsible. The investigation led to the arrest of two suspects, Anwar Hossain and Jewel, also known as Arif, who are accused of direct involvement in the robbery.

Speaking at the briefing, DMP Tejgaon Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Fazlul Karim said the gang members were previously residents of Mohammadpur and possessed detailed knowledge of the neighbourhood, including its roads, entry points and escape routes. However, for approximately six months they had reportedly been living in rented accommodation in Narayanganj.

According to investigators, information obtained during questioning helped police recover the pickup truck allegedly used in the crime as well as the machete employed to intimidate the victims. Authorities have also identified several additional suspects believed to be connected to the gang and said efforts are underway to arrest them.

Key Details of the Case

Police said one trolley bag and a mobile phone taken during the robbery have not yet been recovered. Search operations are continuing, and investigators expressed confidence that the missing items would be found soon.

Responding to questions from journalists, ADC Fazlul Karim stated that both the driver and owner of the pickup truck used during the operation are suspected of having links to the gang. Authorities have placed them under surveillance as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police records show that Jewel has five previous cases registered against him at different police stations. These include two narcotics-related cases, one robbery case and two cases involving allegations under laws relating to violence against women and children.

A police official involved in the investigation said the gang may have carried out at least ten robberies using the same method. Investigators believe the suspects typically left Narayanganj after 2:00 a.m., travelled to Mohammadpur in the pickup truck, targeted victims during the quiet pre-dawn hours and then returned to Narayanganj shortly afterwards.

Law enforcement agencies believe the case highlights the increasingly organised nature of urban robbery networks, which often exploit their knowledge of specific neighbourhoods while operating from outside the area to reduce the risk of detection. The investigation remains ongoing, with police expecting further arrests in the coming days.