Muggers increasingly opting for pickups over bikes

KARACHI: Criminal activity in the city has shown a shift in method, with one recent theft captured on CCTV showing suspects using a double-cabin pickup truck instead of motorcycles, while police in a separate development said they had arrested an eight-member street crime gang in District Central.

According to details reported from Bahadurabad, three suspects arrived in a white double-cabin pickup and targeted a parked car within the limits of New Town police station. CCTV footage showed one suspect keeping watch while the other two broke a window of the vehicle and entered it before taking away valuables.

The footage also showed that two of the suspects were dressed in similar clothing and did not appear to conceal their faces. The incident took place at about 5:30am on April 15. Despite several days having passed since the theft, police had not traced either the suspects or the vehicle used in the crime.

In another incident in PIB Colony, three men riding a motorcycle robbed a citizen at gunpoint. CCTV footage showed the suspects stopping the victim and snatching his newly purchased motorcycle as well as cash before fleeing the area.

Police said investigations were continuing in both cases, but no arrests had been made so far even though CCTV footage was available.

Eight-member gang arrested in Taimuria

In a separate case, District Central Police said they had arrested an eight-member gang involved in street crime in the Taimuria area, including a father and son identified as key members of the group.

Police identified the gang’s leader as Mansoor Ahmed and said his son Fahad provided operational support. Investigators said the group had remained active for four to six months and was linked to more than 100 robberies in different parts of Karachi.

Police said they recovered 13 mobile phones, eight watches, 13 stolen identity cards, bags, six pistols, two replica weapons and three motorcycles from the suspects.

According to investigators, the gang usually carried out robberies between 1am and 3am in areas including Liaquatabad, Sharae Faisal and Lyari Expressway. Police said the suspects mainly targeted young citizens and forced victims to unlock their mobile phones on the spot so banking applications could be accessed.

Investigators further said that while some members of the gang were directly involved in robberies, others were tasked with changing IMEI numbers and selling stolen smartphones onward. The group also frequently shifted rented hideouts in an effort to avoid arrest.

Police said cases had been registered at Taimuria police station and efforts were under way to identify affected citizens and widen the scope of the investigation.