Woman Robbed in Siddheshwari: PBI Arrests One Member of Snatcher Gang

A member of a snatcher gang, identified as Robiul (33), has been arrested by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in connection with a shocking robbery incident in Dhaka’s busy Siddheshwari area, where a woman was dragged by a moving car while her bag was snatched. The PBI recovered the white private car used in the crime and the victim’s mobile phone from Robiul’s possession.

According to the PBI, the viral video of the terrifying robbery in Siddheshwari was analyzed using information technology and past robbery tactics, leading to Robiul’s identification. He was subsequently arrested in an operation conducted in the Uttara West Thana area.

At a press conference held in Dhaka’s Bonosree on Saturday (August 2) afternoon, Special Superintendent of Police Md. Abdur Rahman from the PBI’s Special Investigation and Organized Crime (South) unit revealed details of the incident. On April 26 at 5:45 AM, Farhana Akter Jahan, a lecturer at Bangabandhu Government College in Chandna, Gazipur, was standing in front of Greenland Tower in Siddheshwari. A white private car stopped near her, and a snatcher grabbed her bag through the window. As the bag was strapped to her hand, Farhana was dragged along with the vehicle for some distance, sustaining severe injuries. The snatchers fled with the bag after it came loose, and she was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. The PBI official stated that Robiul confessed to the crime in court, admitting that he and his two accomplices carried out snatchings in Dhaka almost every morning, targeting people heading to work. On the day of the incident, they had executed four additional snatchings. According to Robiul, the gang, consisting of three members, had committed over 25–30 snatchings, dividing the stolen cash and mobile phones among themselves while discarding other items from the bags. The incident occurred on April 26 at 5:45 AM when Farhana Akter Jahan was waiting for a bus near Greenland Tower. A white private car stopped in front of her, and a snatcher leaned out of the front left window, snatching her vanity bag. As the bag was strapped to her hand, she was dragged along the road, sustaining severe injuries to her hands, knees, and other parts of her body. Although she survived, the injuries were significant. Following the incident, the court took suo motu action, directing Ramna Thana police to file a case. The PBI, along with other agencies, began the investigation. The PBI’s Special Investigation and Organized Crime (South) unit stated that efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining members of the gang. A detailed report will be submitted to the court soon after the investigation is complete.