Cops bust gang of temple bell thieves, one arrested

Prayagraj: Pratapgarh police busted an inter-district gang involved in stealing bells from temples and arrested one of its key operatives, Amarnath Tiwari, 50, of Kohdaur, on Sunday. Police have also seized a brass bell weighing around 50 kg, one bike, an iron cutter and cash worth Rs 1,850 from his possession. Ten criminal cases were pending against Tiwari.The gang used to target temples in Pratapgarh, Amethi, Sultanpur, Rae Bareli and Prayagraj districts for stealing bells. They used to recce in daytime and execute the crime at midnight. The gang used to sell brass-made bells in Sultanpur's Thatheri mandi at a cost of Rs 500-600 per kg and distribute the booty among themselves. Police are looking for its other two key members, Arvind Gupta of Amethi and Ramesh Tiwari of Pratapgarh.