IPL crowd used as cover
Police said around 11 minor boys had travelled from Jharkhand, arranged accommodation in the city, and attended the Indian Premier League opener with the intention of committing theft. The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium saw massive footfall, providing the gang an opportunity to operate unnoticed.

Targeting spectators in peak rush
Investigators revealed that the accused took advantage of the heavy rush, especially when spectators were leaving the stadium. Amid the confusion, they allegedly lifted mobile phones and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Recovery of stolen devices
Acting on specific inputs, police tracked down the suspects and recovered 21 mobile phones worth nearly ₹18 lakh. Officials suspect that the total number of stolen devices could be much higher, and further recoveries are likely.

Operation planned in advance
Preliminary findings indicate that the gang had carefully planned the operation. They reportedly reached Bengaluru a day before the match, stayed in rented accommodations, and executed the thefts during the high-profile event.

Interstate link under scanner
Police are probing a wider interstate network behind such incidents. Similar theft patterns reported in other cities have raised suspicions that the same gang may be operating across multiple IPL venues.

Chennai IPL theft case in April 2025
A similar case was reported in Chennai in April 2025 during an IPL match, where police arrested multiple members of a Jharkhand-based gang involved in mobile thefts. Investigations revealed that youths were allegedly recruited and paid around ₹1,000 per day to carry out thefts at crowded venues like stadiums, markets, and public spaces, with dozens of stolen phones recovered by the police.

Security tightened, probe continues
With IPL matches drawing huge crowds, security around stadiums has been intensified. Police are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the network and prevent similar incidents in upcoming matches.

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