Burglars rope in auto drivers for quick escape

Guwahati: Burglars in the city have found a new modus operandi — they are now including auto-rickshaw drivers in their gangs to make a quick getaway.
Police sources said many auto drivers had joined such gangs to earn an extra buck. They transport customers during the day, pinpoint soft targets, observe their movements and pass on the information to the gangs.“Though they don’t take part in the actual break-in, they share vital information about the target and get a share of the loot,” the source added.
Acting on a tip-off, the central police district of Guwahati commissionerate recently arrested two members of a gang along with the three-wheeler they used. The two were identified as Sonesh Ali (22) from the Kalgasi area of Bongaigaon district and Md Unish Ali, alias Camera (40), from the Ranipukhuri Bakultolabazar area of Udalguri district. Amitava Sinha, deputy commissioner of police, (central), said, “Unish Ali is an auto driver who transported the gang members at night. He was involved in ferrying thieves and stolen sewing machines in his auto in the city’s Chandmari area.” Assam has seen a sharp rise in burglary cases in the last four years. Since 2011 to April this year, at least 17,743 such cases were registered across the state.