Money Heist inspired robbery: Police cracks down three youngsters in UP

Inspired by Netflix’s popular crime series, Money Heist, three youngsters tried to rob a jewellery store in Gomtinagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday. Police cracked down on the case twenty-four hours after the heist, and found out the mastermind was the salesman in the shop. 

Police arrested salesman Pradeep and two of his accomplices who created a dramatic atmosphere, trying to imitate their favourite show. Pradeep, who had set up the entire plan, had dressed one of his accomplices, Imran, in a burqa, and asked him to speak softly before enacting the crime. The third accomplice, Sandeep Gupta, provided a gateway car for the trio to escape. 

Shweta Srivastava, the Assistant commissioner of police who led the case, said that the culprits were interrogated and the footage of CCTV was clearly checked before their arrest. It is said that the major evidence regarding the trio was obtained from the CCTV footage. The police also recovered ornaments worth Rs 15 lakh and other evidence including the car and burqa, after arresting them from the neighbouring Gangotri Vihar. 

Another police officer confirmed that the culprits who are in their twenties are school dropouts and the motive behind the robbery was to make quick money for a luxury living. According to cops, they watched series like Money Heist on OTT platforms to get inspired to commit the crime. A day before the robbery, they were well planned, but before stepping out of the car, Imran forgot to change his shoes and didn’t care to notice the CCTV next to the jewellery, added the cops.  

While Pradeep worked in the sales, Imran was employed in a nursery and Sandeep in a homeopathy clinic. It is also confirmed that the car used for the heist was registered in the name of Sandeep’s father.