5 arrested for targeting solo pedestrians in Cyberabad while high on ganja and alcohol
Hyderabad: The Jeedimetla Police have successfully arrested five members of a gang involved in mobile phone snatching and various thefts across Cyberabad on July 30, 2025. The arrests led to the recovery of stolen property, including two motorcycles and nine mobile phones, with a combined value of approximately ₹3.5 lakh.
The case emerged when D. Akhila, a 21-year-old private employee from Chintal, filed a complaint on July 27. She reported that around 3 PM, while walking toward the Shapur Nagar Bus Stop and talking on her mobile phone, she was attacked near Subham Hotel. Two unidentified individuals on a black motorcycle forcibly snatched her phone and pushed her, causing an injury to her right ear. Akhila was able to provide a description of one of the culprits, identifying the pillion rider by his red shirt.
Under the guidance of senior officers, the Jeedimetla Police began investigating the case. They reviewed CCTV footage from surrounding areas, analyzed potential escape routes, and cross-checked the records of known criminals. Through this diligent work, the police were able to identify the culprits and arrest them.
The gang members, who were addicted to alcohol and ganja, often gathered in open areas behind the Metro Station in Vignanpuri Colony, Sangeeth Nagar, Kukatpally, and Jagadgirigutta. While under the influence, they roamed neighborhoods such as Kukatpally, Jeedimetla, Madhapur, JNTU, Prasanth Nagar, and Moosapet with the intent of committing thefts. They primarily targeted individuals walking alone, especially women talking on mobile phones, and would steal phones and snatch bags from unsuspecting victims.
The arrested individuals have been identified as R. Vaijayanth (19), alias Varun, from Kukatpally; R. Shiva (21), from Deenabandhu Colony, Jagadgirigutta; R. Naresh Nayak (23), alias Naresh, from Anjaiah Nagar, Jagadgirigutta; Kumar, from Jagadgirigutta; and Venkat, also from Jagadgirigutta.
Several of the arrested gang members have criminal histories. Shiva was previously arrested in a rape case in 2022 under Crime No. 271/2022, U/s 376 IPC, at Saidabad Police Station. Naresh has a long criminal record with multiple theft cases dating back to 2016 across several police stations in Hyderabad and Cyberabad. His involvement includes cases registered under various sections of IPC for thefts and snatchings.
During the investigation, the police recovered two motorcycles: a TVS Ntorq 125, which was reported stolen in a case at KPHB Police Station, and an Apache motorcycle used by Naresh during the commission of his crimes. The police also recovered nine mobile phones, all of which had been snatched from their victims. The total worth of the recovered property is estimated at ₹3.5 lakh.
The case was solved under the direct supervision of P. Naresh Reddy, ACP of Balanagar Division, Cyberabad. The successful arrests were made possible by the dedicated efforts of Jeedimetla Police officers, including G. Mallesh, Inspector of Police; S. Kakakaiah, Detective Inspector; N. Shyam Babu, DSI; and R. Srinivas Reddy, ASI, along with the assistance of several constables. Their work was carried out under the overall supervision of K. Suresh Kumar, IPS, DCP of Balanagar Zone, and V. Satyanarayana, Addl. DCP, Balanagar Zone.
