Police have arrested eight active members of an organized gang of robbers along with a microbus in connection with a gruesome robbery in the capital, in the guise of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel.
The arrestees were identified as Md. Al Amin Howlader 40, Md. Omar Faruk, 34, Md. Faruk Bepari, 39, Md. Shahidul Islam Sheikh, 41, Md. Manik, 27, Zahirul Islam Zahir, 48, Al-Amin Ahmed, 40 and Md. Barek, 44, said a media release of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today.
Police also seized a RAB jacket, handcuffs, hockey sticks, cane sticks, Taka 30,000 in cash, a mobile phone and some cosmetics from their possession.
New Market Police Station said the victim Md. Faruk Mia, 55, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Dubai on February 18 last at about 2:00 am and started for home in a private car.
At that time, he had with him some 100 gram gold bangles brought from Dubai, two Samsung S-25 Ultra mobile phones, an iPhone-12, an Apple MacBook, an iPad, an Apple Watch, three blankets and various types of valuables. The estimated value of which is Taka 19.70 lakh.
When he arrived in front of his house on Hatirpool Road under New Market Police Station at about 3:00 am, a black Noah car that was following him blocked his path. Some 5/6 people dressed in RAB uniforms got out of the car forcibly dragged Faruk Mia out of his car, identifying themselves RAB personnel, and took the belongings to their car.
They drove the victim Faruk around different parts of Dhaka city, tortured him physically, and threatened to kill him.
Later, they snatched the victim's belongings and threw him out of their car in Hatirjheel area at about 4:30 am.
On 18 February, a case was filed in this connection at the New Market Police Station by the victim, Md. Faruk Mia.
With the help of CCTV footage, technology and intelligence information, Manik was arrested on 23 February from Elephant Road Bata Signal intersection.
Based on the information provided by him, Al Amin Howlader was arrested from his home in Kachipara village under Baufal police station in Patuakhali district on February 28, while Omar Faruk was arrested from the Dapadpia Bridge toll plaza under Kotwali Model Police Station of Barisal Metropolitan Police.
Later, Al Amin and Omar Faruk were taken on a two-day police remand and interrogated. Following the interrogation, on 2 March, Md. Faruk Bepari and Md. Shahidul Islam Sheikh were arrested from the East Rampur area in Dhaka.
As per the statement given by Faruk and Shahidul during police interrogation on 7 March, Zahirul Islam Zahir was arrested from English Road, while Al-Amin Ahmed from the Hajibari area of Kawla Namapara in Dakshinkhan, and Md. Barek from the South Mothertek area in the capital.
Police said the arrestees are active members of an organized gang of robbers. They follow passengers bringing gold ornaments and valuables from abroad from the airport, intercept in their way at convenient places in the capital, and rob their belongings, posing themselves as law enforcement agencies such as RAB and DB.
Legal action is being taken against the arrestees.
