Lucknow Police Issues High Alert Over Organized Wedding Theft Gangs
With the wedding season at its peak in Lucknow, crowded marriage venues have once again become soft targets for organized theft gangs, prompting the city police to issue a high alert. Investigation into a recent theft at a wedding function in the Vrindavan Yojna area has revealed striking similarities with the modus operandi of an inter-state gang based in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh.
Sophisticated Gang Operations and Modus Operandi
Police officials confirmed that CCTV footage from the latest incident shows a near-perfect match with patterns observed in earlier cases involving the same gang, whose members were previously busted by Lucknow Police. The gang is highly organized and strategically exploits the chaos and celebratory atmosphere of weddings, according to a senior officer.
Investigators have uncovered that the gang trains children aged between 13 and 15 years as pickpockets. These minors are dressed in smart coat-and-tie suits to resemble wedding guests and are taught basic English phrases, popular songs, and dance steps to blend seamlessly into the crowd without raising suspicion.
Multi-Stage Theft Execution
The theft operation follows a carefully orchestrated multi-stage process:
- The children mingle freely among guests, often playing and running near the stage or mandap.
- When they spot an unattended bag containing cash or jewelry, they lift it swiftly.
- The child who initially picks up the bag hands it over to another minor a short distance away.
- The bag is then passed to an adult gang member waiting outside the wedding venue.
- That member immediately heads to a railway station and boards a train to another state, often without opening the bag, making recovery extremely difficult.
Historical Pattern and Police Challenges
Police confirmed that several such incidents have already occurred in Lucknow in the past, primarily during open and crowded wedding functions. While two or three children enter the venue, other gang members remain stationed outside to provide logistical support and ensure a quick escape.
Officials recalled a major case from approximately five years ago when a central zone police team caught a gang member red-handed in Lucknow. During follow-up operations, the team traced the network to a village in Madhya Pradesh, but faced serious challenges. "When Lucknow Police sought assistance, even the local police were hesitant. The entire village was reportedly involved in theft and considered extremely dangerous," an officer revealed.
Gang Negotiation Tactics and Police Warning
Police disclosed that if a team manages to reach such villages, the gang often attempts to strike a deal—offering either the arrested accused or the stolen jewelry and cash, but never both. "Their first priority is to get their member released. If that fails, they refuse to return the stolen property," the officer added.
In view of the rising threat, Lucknow Police has urgently urged citizens to remain vigilant during wedding celebrations and to secure their valuables in crowded venues. The police department has increased surveillance and monitoring at popular wedding locations across the city to prevent further incidents.
