Another held for theft at wedding

HYDERABAD: A minor, who was part of a gang which targeted function halls and rob gold and other valuables, was arrested on Wednesday and `20-lakh gold ornaments recovered. The Madhya Pradesh-based gang used to enter marriage halls and mingle with the guests. Children are used by the gang to strike at unsuspecting guests, police said. During the marriage function of an NRI at the Imperial gardens in Bowenpally in November 2010, the gang members stole nearly Rs43 lakh gold ornaments from the changing room.Police went through the recording of CCTVs installed in the marriage hall and narrowed upon the accused. “A woman, Budia along with three minors, including a girl were found moving in the marriage hall and stealing jewellery. Their images were caught in cameras and they helped us to catch the accused,’’ Bowenpally detective sub-inspector N Sanjay Kumar said.Recently, Saroornagar police caught a similar gang of offenders and Bowenpally police verified the photographs of the suspects with them. “The minors arrested by Saroornagar police told us that those involved in the theft at Imperial gardens also belong to their village and reside at temporary settlements at Miyapur. Based on the information, we held a 13-year-old boy,’’ the SI said.