According to the police, the group used to target shopping malls and markets in south and central Kolkata and operated in tandem with similar gangs in other states. Six expensive cellphones were also seized from them.

Following a tip off, the police raided Mehdi Bazar in the Taltolla police station area on Saturday morning. They arrested Muhammed Shahdab, who used to purchase the phones. After interrogating Shahdab, the police came to know about the whereabouts of the four gang members.

“The gang members operated in shopping malls and markers in the New Market area and also Metro stations and Moulali crossing. Once they spotted a careless cellphone user, they would follow him and wait for a chance to snatch it. While the owner would be busy talking on his or her cellphone, they would snatched the cellphone and make a quick exit,” said an officer of Taltolla police station.