Arunachal: Itanagar police solve Rs 13 lakh daylight robbery, arrest three after three-week probe

Itanagar Police has solved the Rs 13 lakh daylight robbery at Neelam Traders in Gandhi Market with the arrest of all three accused following an intensive investigation that lasted nearly three weeks.

Addressing the media, Itanagar Superintendent of Police Jummar Basar said the robbery took place on June 22 at around 11.19 am when two men entered the shop on the pretext of seeking assistance and viewing CCTV footage related to allegedly lost items. Once inside, one of the accused pulled out a knife concealed inside a file cover, threatened the cashier and looted approximately ₹13 lakh in cash, while a third accomplice remained outside as a lookout. The entire incident was captured on CCTV.

Police said the investigation initially faced significant challenges as the accused had meticulously planned the crime by changing clothes, avoiding CCTV-monitored routes and concealing their movements. Investigators also had to contend with non-functional Smart City CCTV cameras along the suspected escape routes.

A special investigation team was constituted under the leadership of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Itanagar, and the Officer-in-Charge of Itanagar Police Station. The team comprised SI Samuel Ngupok, ASI Marli Kamgo, Ct. Punyo Tamar, Ct. Jumli Zirdo, Ct. Shankar Nampe, Ct. Tago Ligu, Ct. Mejir Pale, Ct. Sandeep Yadav and Ct. Chukey Digle.

During the investigation, the team analysed more than 500 hours of CCTV footage collected from private establishments and other locations. The probe was further supported by technical analysis, mobile phone tracking, intelligence gathering, witness examination and extensive field verification.

The accused were identified as Prem Rebe, Gungung Tagang and Yubi Kamchi. Police found that Prem Rebe and Gungung Tagang entered the shop and executed the robbery, while Yubi Kamchi acted as a lookout outside the premises.

Following the robbery, the trio fled towards Seppa and frequently shifted locations across East Kameng district, Assam and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh in an attempt to evade arrest. Acting on sustained surveillance and intelligence inputs, police traced and apprehended Gungung Tagang and Yubi Kamchi in Seppa with assistance from Seppa Police Station.

The principal accused, Prem Rebe, continued to evade arrest by moving between resorts and temporary accommodations while spending the stolen money. After nearly three weeks of sustained tracking, he was also apprehended in Seppa with the assistance of East Kameng Police.

The investigation further revealed that a substantial portion of the stolen cash had been used to purchase a four-wheeler, two-wheelers, mobile phones and other valuables. Police have traced and recovered several of these assets, while funds in one accused's bank account have also been frozen.

Capital Police acknowledged the support extended by East Kameng Police, particularly the Officer-in-Charge of Seppa Police Station and Constable Shankar Taniang, as well as Constable Sanu Raj of Naharlagun Police Station, in successfully concluding the operation.

Police said the case was cracked through sustained field investigation, technical analysis and effective inter-district coordination despite the absence of continuous CCTV coverage and deliberate efforts by the accused to conceal their identities and movements.