In a bizarre development, Delhi Police on Thursday busted 'Messi Gang' on charges of pickpocketing and murder. Yes! you heard it right, a 43-year-old man, who was once inspired by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and used to play football, was arrested along with three gang members for several crimes in New Delhi. A Delhi Police official was quoted by a newswire who informed that the 'Messi Gang', mostly indulging in pick-pocketing, were busted and 55 cases registered in South Delhi's C R Park, Defence Colony, Hauz Khas areas have been solved. As per initial report, a total of 56 stolen mobile phones have been recovered by the Police.
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Reportedly, the accused have been identified as Ajay Kumar, a resident of Badarpur, Pummy alias Ajay, a resident of Faridabad in Haryana, Firoj Khan, a resident of Tigri area and the gang leader Pinku Messi alias Anni Messi, a resident of Jasola. The kingpin Pinku Messi was found to be previously involved in 10 cases including murder and under the Arms Act. As per the Police, on December 20 a police team including the Station House Officer of C R Park police station was patrolling in the area when they noticed a suspicious auto-rickshaw. "Four people were sitting inside and the police officials asked about their presence in that area. Initially, they tried to mislead the police team but on their cursory search, a total of 11 mobile phones were recovered from their possession. They were asked about these mobile phones but they failed to give any satisfactory reply," an official was quoted by a newswire.
On investigation, 11 mobile phones were found to be stolen. Later, the four were identified as Ajay, Pummy, Firoj and Pinku Messi. The Delhi Police further revealed that in the interrogation, the accused disclosed that they had been committing thefts for 4-5 years in South and South East Delhi. They used to target their prey in crowded areas by cordoning them off and diverting their attention by pushing them around, stole their mobiles and other valuables and fled from the spot in the auto-rickshaw. "The gang leader Messi is a footballer and involved in many other cases including murder," Delhi Police added.