Hyderabad Police Arrest Notorious Mobile Phone Snatchers After Dramatic Chase

June 23, 2024: Hyderabad police have arrested two notorious mobile phone snatchers, one of whom was injured when police opened fire during a chase. The arrests were made by the Gopalapuram police, along with the Task Force, following an incident of mobile phone snatching involving deadly weapons two days ago, a police official confirmed on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone) S. Rashmi Perumal identified the accused as Masood ur Rahman and Fazal ur Raheman, both residents of Hyderabad. The police seized a stolen Honda Activa, two daggers, and three mobile phones, including one that was snatched during the recent offence.

Masood ur Rahman is a habitual offender with a history of theft. He had been previously involved in three theft cases under the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate. A school dropout who worked as a welder and cab driver, Masood turned to robbery and theft for quick money. He was previously arrested by Nacharam and Mailardevpally Police for similar offences, according to the DCP.

On the intervening night of June 19 and 20, Masood and Fazal were roaming the city on a two-wheeler. They stole a Honda Activa in Malakpet and parked the stolen vehicle at Star Hotel in Bholakpur, Musheerabad for later disposal. They then headed towards Secunderabad around 2:30 a.m., where they snatched a mobile phone from a person near the Ganesh temple by threatening him with daggers. Hearing the victim’s cries for help, two constables from an Anti-Snatching team began chasing the offenders. The accused threatened the constables with daggers and attempted to snatch another pedestrian’s mobile phone but abandoned the effort as the constables closed in.

At City Light Hotel, fearing the offenders posed a threat to public safety, one of the constables fired at the offenders’ two-wheeler, aiming for the tyre. The bullet struck Masood’s right leg calf, but they continued to flee. Another round was fired but failed to discharge, and the offenders managed to escape.

A special investigative team quickly identified and apprehended the accused within 48 hours. The police official praised the quick response and determination of the officers involved in the arrest.