Two arrested for attempted jewellery shop heist in Medchal

Hyderabad: Two members of the burqa-clad gang that attempted a daring daylight heist at a jewellery shop in Medchal on Thursday (June 20) were arrested by Cyberabad police.

The arrested were identified as Nazim Aziz Kotadia, 36, and Shaik Sohail 23, a scrap dealer with seven criminal cases. The third accused, Salman, is absconding.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty said the arrests were made early on Saturday morning near Nampally Railway Station. A stolen motorbike, a black burqa, gloves, a bag, and two mobile phones were recovered from the suspects.

Mohanty said 16 dedicated teams went through footage from 161 CCTVs near the crime scene to track the suspects.

"We received information about the crime within 10 minutes of it occurring. The police station was very close to the scene, allowing for a swift response," he said.

The bike used in the crime had been stolen from Habsiguda four days earlier. The suspects travelled from the Osmania University police station limits to Chaderghat, Mir Chowk, and then to Charminar.

Teams in these areas were also alerted to track the suspects. It was found that the accused had previously been involved in a robbery at Chaderghat as well, Medchal DCP N. Koti Reddy said.

Nazim, originally from Mumbai, had faced business losses and turned to crime for fast money.

After meeting Sohail in jail, they planned a series of robberies. On June 17, they stole a motorbike and prepared for the robbery.

On June 20, disguised in burqas, they entered Jagadamba Jewellery shop, where Nazim threatened and injured the owner while attempting to steal gold, Koti Reddy said.

The owner's son intervened, forcing the suspects to flee, he added.