Noida Police Bust Four-Member Robbery Gang After Midnight Encounter in Sector 63

Noida: A gang allegedly targeting unsuspecting commuters by offering them lifts before robbing them at isolated locations was busted by Noida Police following a midnight encounter in Sector 63. Two alleged gang members sustained bullet injuries during retaliatory police action, while two others were arrested after a search and cordoning operation.

The police identified the injured suspects as Vikas alias Kalu, a resident of Delhi, and Rajesh alias Dheda, who lives in Basai, Noida. The other two arrested accused have been identified as Shankar Sharma and Kapil Kashyap.

Illegal firearms, ammunition, knives and stolen motorcycles were recovered from the possession of all four accused, police said.

Suspects Tried to Escape During Routine Checking

According to DCP Central Noida Dr Praveen Ranjan Singh, the operation took place during the intervening night of November 1 and 2. A Sector 63 police team was conducting routine vehicle checks near the Sector 62 roundabout when four suspicious men travelling on two motorcycles came into view.

When officers signalled them to stop, the suspects allegedly changed direction and attempted to flee towards the Bahlolpur underpass.

Police personnel pursued the motorcycles. When the suspects found themselves surrounded on a service road, they allegedly opened fire at the police team with the intention of causing fatal injuries.

The officers retaliated in self-defence, during which Vikas alias Kalu and Rajesh alias Dheda sustained gunshot injuries to their legs. Both were apprehended and subsequently taken to hospital for medical treatment.

How Were the Other Two Accused Arrested?

Taking advantage of the darkness, the remaining two gang members allegedly attempted to escape during the encounter. However, police launched a cordoning and search operation in the surrounding area and managed to apprehend Shankar Sharma and Kapil Kashyap.

With their arrest, all four alleged members of the gang were taken into custody.

Illegal Weapons and Stolen Motorcycles Recovered

During the operation, police recovered two illegal country-made firearms and ammunition from the injured suspects. A stolen Bullet motorcycle was also seized.

Meanwhile, two knives and an Apache motorcycle were recovered from Shankar Sharma and Kapil Kashyap. Police are conducting further investigations to establish the ownership and history of the recovered vehicles and weapons.

Gang Used Lift Offers to Target Commuters

During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed their modus operandi. According to police, the gang members approached unsuspecting people and offered them lifts on motorcycles or in vehicles.

Once the victims accepted the offer, the suspects allegedly took them towards isolated stretches, threatened them with weapons and robbed them of their belongings. After committing the crime, they reportedly abandoned the victims along the way and fled.

The gang allegedly used this method to identify and target unsuspecting commuters travelling alone.

Multiple Criminal Cases Registered Against the Accused

Police officials said all four arrested suspects have criminal backgrounds.

Vikas alias Kalu reportedly has more than 22 criminal cases registered against him, including charges related to robbery, the Gangsters Act and the Arms Act. Rajesh alias Dheda is allegedly named in 18 cases involving attempted murder, robbery and the Gangsters Act.

Shankar Sharma reportedly has 10 cases registered against him, primarily involving theft and offences under the Arms Act. The fourth accused, Kapil Kashyap, was allegedly wanted in criminal cases registered in Delhi and Noida.

Police are continuing their investigation to identify other incidents linked to the gang, trace its wider criminal network and establish the identities of people associated with the accused. Investigators are also examining how many commuters may have been targeted using the false promise of a lift.