Auto-Rickshaw Gang Targets Passengers In East Ahmedabad, Steals ₹66,200 In Three Incidents

An alleged auto-rickshaw gang targeting passengers travelling from Narol and other parts of East Ahmedabad has been accused of stealing ₹66,200 in three separate incidents. The suspects allegedly pose as passengers, board autos in advance and distract victims using different tricks before fleeing with cash from their pockets.

Two cases have been registered at Narol police station and one at Isanpur police station. Police are examining CCTV footage from the routes to identify the accused.

Passengers Distracted With Different Tricks

According to the complaints, the accused generally travel as passengers in the back of an auto-rickshaw before the targeted commuter boards. The driver then asks the victim to sit in the front.

Once the auto is moving, the suspects allegedly distract the passenger by engaging them in conversation, asking them to adjust their seating or deliberately jostling them.

In some cases, the driver allegedly pretends that the auto has broken down and asks the passenger to operate the hand pump. The suspects then use the few moments of distraction to remove cash from the victim’s pocket.

Labourer Loses ₹30,000 Salary

In the first incident, Anup Prajapati, 34, originally from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Padmavati Nagar in Narol, had collected ₹30,000 from his employer as salary before travelling to his hometown.

At around 10.30 pm on August 11, he boarded an auto-rickshaw from Narol Circle for Bhamariya Kuva. Two suspected accomplices were already seated in the back, following which the driver asked Prajapati to sit in the front.

Near Gokulesh Petrol Pump, the driver allegedly told him that the auto would not go towards Bhamariya Kuva and dropped him off. Prajapati later checked his pocket and found that the ₹30,000 was missing. He then approached Narol police and lodged a complaint.

₹20,000 Stolen After Driver Claims Auto Broke Down

In the second case, Dhiraj Kumar, 35, originally from Bihar and residing in Vatva, was carrying ₹20,000 from his salary.

Kumar boarded an auto-rickshaw from Narol Circle for Vatva on September 8. The driver asked him to sit in the front and allegedly kept him engaged in conversation while repeatedly asking him to adjust his seating.

Near a petrol pump, the driver reportedly claimed that the auto had broken down and asked Kumar to operate the hand pump seven to eight times. After the vehicle started, the driver dropped him off and allegedly drove away.

Kumar later discovered that ₹20,000 had been stolen from his pocket and approached Narol police.

GEB Cashier Reports Loss Of ₹16,200

The third incident involved Vasubhai Parmar, 37, a cashier at the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) in Limbdi, Surendranagar district.

At around 12.30 pm on August 15, Parmar boarded an auto-rickshaw from Narol Circle to travel to Amraiwadi. After travelling a short distance, the driver allegedly claimed that the vehicle had broken down and told Parmar that he did not need to pay the fare.

The driver dropped him midway. Parmar later checked his pocket and found that ₹16,200 was missing. He subsequently lodged a complaint at Isanpur police station.

Police Examine CCTV Footage

According to the complaints, the suspects are believed to target passengers travelling on routes connecting Geeta Mandir, Kalupur Railway Station, Narol and Naroda Patiya, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours.

Police are examining CCTV footage from the routes and surrounding areas to establish the identities and movements of the suspects. Further investigation is underway.