Robbery gang targets cars parked on NH-65 during night; Telangana’s Sangareddy police arrest three

Sangareddy Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj along with police team addressing a press conference on inter-State robbery gang in Sangareddy on Friday (November 06, 2026) | Photo Credit: MOHD ARIF Three members of an inter-State robbery gang from Maharashtra, accused of targeting cars parked along National Highway 65, were arrested by Sangareddy Police, who cracked three highway robbery cases in the district and another in Humnabad, Karnataka. Another accused is absconding.The arrested men were identified as 32-year-old Hasan Sameer Shaik, 35-year-old Santosh Segar Dhagudu, and 24-year-old Naushad Jakir Sayyad. The police are searching for the fourth accused, 28-year-old Rafik Shamshoddin Shaikh. The four are from Maharashtra. Sangareddy Police arrest three people who used an air rifle, knives to threaten people in cars parked in isolated stretches on national hgihway-65. | Photo Credit: MOHD ARIF How were they caught?The arrests were made after police personnel conducting vehicle checks at Madgi crossroads under Chiragpally Police Station limits intercepted three men travelling on a blue Yamaha motorcycle without a registration plate. The men were heading towards Telangana and were allegedly carrying weapons and disguises in preparation for further robberies.During interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in three robberies reported in Sangareddy district and another in Humnabad in Karnataka, the police said.Cars parked on isolates stretches targetedAccording to Sangareddy Superintendent of Police (SP) Paritosh Pankaj, the gang operated along national highways during night hours, particularly targeting cars parked in isolated stretches by motorists who had stopped due to emergencies.The accused would leave their motorcycle at a distance, wear black caps to conceal their identities and approach the vehicles armed with a fake pistol and knives. They threatened the occupants and robbed them of gold ornaments and cash before escaping on the motorcycle towards Latur in Maharashtra.The stolen gold ornaments were sold at a jewellery shop in Latur through an acquaintance, and the proceeds were shared among the gang members, the investigators said.The three robberiesIn one of the incidents, reported within Chiragpally Police Station limits on October 17 at around 11.10 p.m., the gang targeted a car parked along NH-65. The occupants were threatened with a fake gun and knives and robbed of two gold bangles, a gold mangalsutra, a gold and diamond necklace, a ring and ₹2,500 in cash.Two more robberies were reported on October 25. At around 2 a.m., the gang targeted a car parked near the outskirts of Aroor village under Sadasivpet Police Station limits and escaped with gold ornaments and cash. At around 3.20 a.m., another car was targeted within Koheer Police Station limits, with the occupants robbed of gold ornaments and cash.The investigators also linked the gang to a similar robbery during the intervening night of October 22 and 23 within Humnabad Police Station limits in Bidar district, Karnataka.Fake pistol, knives and motorcycle seizedPolice seized a blue Yamaha R15 V3 motorcycle without a registration plate, a spring-action fake air pistol, two knives, two black caps, three sweaters, a bag, two Aadhaar cards and three mobile phones.The accused had travelled from Maharashtra on the motorcycle, carrying monkey caps, sweaters and two knives in a bag. One of them concealed the air pistol, the police said.The investigation also revealed that the gang had previous criminal cases involving theft and robbery in Maharashtra. Hasan Sameer Shaik has been linked to several cases registered between 2010 and 2025 in Nanded and Latur districts. Santosh Segar Dhagudu also has previous cases registered in Maharashtra in 2025.Special teams were formed to trace Rafik Shamshoddin Shaikh. The police are also investigating the sale of the stolen gold ornaments in Latur and attempting to identify the person who facilitated the transactions and the jewellery shop where the ornaments were sold.The SP advised motorists to avoid parking in isolated stretches of national highways, particularly at night. In case of a breakdown or other emergency, they were advised to stop at well-lit and populated places such as petrol pumps, hotels and dhabas, and seek assistance through Dial 112 or the National Highway Patrol toll-free number. Published - November 06, 2026 05:20 pm IST