Police have arrested five alleged members of an inter-district robbery gang in connection with a robbery at the home of retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Matin Ullah in Mirsharai, Chattogram. An LG firearm, four rounds of ammunition, two large machetes, a truck allegedly used in the robbery and several other pieces of evidence have been recovered.
Chattogram District Police disclosed the information in a press release on Thursday, 15 October.
According to police, the robbery took place between 1.30am and 3am on 10 October at Sheikhertaluk in Madhyam Wahedpur, Ward No. 6 of Wahedpur Union in Mirsharai Upazila. A group of 15 to 16 people allegedly broke down the door and entered the house before holding the family members at gunpoint.
The robbers beat Matin Ullah, tied his hands and legs, and gagged him. His wife and daughter were also threatened and held inside the house while the gang searched the premises.
The perpetrators ransacked cupboards, wardrobes and furniture in several rooms, taking cash, gold jewellery, mobile phones, a CCTV monitor, a digital video recorder (DVR), a computer central processing unit (CPU) and other valuables. Police estimated the total value of the stolen property at Tk 1,640,150.
After the robbers left, the victims sought help from neighbours and contacted the national emergency service through 999. Officers from Mirsharai Police Station subsequently visited the scene and began the necessary legal procedures.
Five Suspects Arrested in Raids Across Three Areas
Following the incident, an investigation was launched by the District Detective Branch (DB) and Mirsharai police under the direction of Chattogram District Superintendent of Police Masud Alam.
Investigators visited the scene, spoke to local residents and analysed available information and evidence. Subsequent raids in different locations in Dhaka, Cumilla and Chattogram led to the arrest of five suspects.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Rahim of Titas, Md Jamal, also known as Kuddus, of Barura, Md Saiful Islam, also known as Sajib, of Daudkandi, Md Anwar Hossain Milon of Laksam, and Md Hanif, also from Laksam. All five are from Cumilla district.
Police said several of the suspects had previous criminal cases against them. Rahim faces 10 cases involving allegations of theft, firearms offences, murder and robbery. Jamal has four cases related to theft, robbery and firearms offences, while Saiful has two robbery cases. Hanif is facing one case involving an alleged attempted robbery.
The police press release did not provide details of any cases against Anwar Hossain Milon.
Firearm, Ammunition and Truck Recovered
Based on information provided by the arrested suspects, police recovered an LG firearm, four rounds of ammunition, two large machetes, a truck, a CCTV DVR and monitor, a CPU and a broken lock.
Investigators are examining the recovered items as part of their efforts to establish the circumstances of the robbery and identify others involved. The truck and CCTV equipment may also provide leads in the investigation.
During preliminary questioning, police identified the suspects as alleged active members of an inter-district robbery gang. According to the police statement, investigators have also obtained information suggesting their possible involvement in several organised robberies in Cumilla, Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Chattogram.
Their alleged roles in those incidents are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Retirement Payments May Have Made the House a Target
Preliminary findings suggest that the gang targeted Matin Ullah’s home after learning that he had received a substantial amount in pension and retirement benefits following his retirement from the police service.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly believed that the house would contain cash and other valuables, prompting them to plan the robbery.
Chattogram District Police said efforts were continuing to arrest the remaining suspects, recover the stolen property and establish whether the gang was involved in other criminal activities.
The investigation will also seek to determine the roles of all those involved and trace the remaining stolen items.
The allegations against the five arrested individuals have yet to be established through the judicial process.
