Bhubaneswar, Sept 14: The Infocity police arrested a three-member gang accused of targeting examination centres across the capital city to steal mobile phones and two-wheelers, recovering dozens of devices in the process.

The suspects have been identified as Dushmanta Subuddhi, Rakesh Kumar Sahu, and Manas Behera.

The police seized 26 mobile phone handsets, a stolen scooter, 43 mobile displays, and 48 motherboards during the operation.

The syndicate specifically tracked students appearing for competitive and professional tests. While candidates were inside examination halls where phones are strictly prohibited, the gang targeted vehicles parked outside.

According to ACP Manas Ranjan Pradhan, the accused carried books to loiter outside venues undetected, posing as examinees. They targeted smartphones left in the dickeys or under-seat storage compartments of motorcycles and scooters, breaking them open or using duplicate keys.

The investigation uncovered a systematic chain of disposal. The stolen devices were allegedly transported to Bapujinagar, where Dushmanta handed them over to Rakesh.

Police stated that Rakesh systematically dismantled the handsets—including expensive, branded models—and sold off individual components for Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 to evade tracking. Dushmanta allegedly spent his share of the proceeds on hotel stays and gaming, occasionally executing digital transactions using the stolen devices.

The breakthrough came following a complaint by Dr Shubhamay Bera, who reported that his Honda Activa scooter and mobile phone were stolen while he was appearing for the NEET PG examination at Anthem Global, IDZI, in Patia.

A case was registered at the Infocity police station led to the swift apprehension of the trio. Recoveries included two phones from Dushmanta, 18 handsets along with the dismantled displays and motherboards from Rakesh, and six handsets from Manas.