Italian citizen mugged; items recovered in 12 hours

Police have arrested two snatchers, including a ride-sharing driver, and recovered an Italian citizen's stolen passport, mobile phone, cash, and other belongings within 12 hours of the reported mugging.

Khorshed Alam, 28, an Uber motorcycle driver, and Shahin Mia, 22, were arrested in Turag area on Sunday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre yesterday, Rawnaq Jahan, deputy commissioner of Uttara Division, said Italian citizen, Tania Mohammad Sheikh Noor, arrived at Dhaka airport on a flight from Italy around 4:00am.

She hired an Uber motorcycle from outside the airport to travel to a hostel in Uttara (sector 19). However, instead of taking her there, the motorcycle driver diverted to a bridge near Metro Rail Station-1 in sector 15.

There, with the help of an accomplice, he intimidated her and snatched her Italian passport, an iPhone 13, an iPhone charger, a MacBook charger, her Italian ID card, bank cards, perfume, an Italian book, and €50 in cash before fleeing.

A case was filed with Turag Police Station in this regard.

After registering the case, police analysed CCTV footage from the area and used technology to identify the primary suspect, Khorshed.

During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they are the members of a professional mugging gang, who pose as Uber motorcycle drivers, said the Uttara DC.