Bhubaneswar, July 14 -- In a major crackdown ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra, Nayapalli Police in Odisha's Bhubaneswar on Monday arrested a four-member gang allegedly involved in mobile phone thefts and pickpocketing. The accused include three women and a juvenile. Police also recovered several suspected stolen mobile phones from their possession.

According to the police, the gang had been targeting crowded public places to steal mobile phones and other valuables. Preliminary investigation suggests the accused were planning to travel to Puri during the Rath Yatra to prey on devotees and visitors expected to gather in large numbers for the annual festival.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Nayapalli Police intercepted the group be...