Malda police have identified a Bihar-based gang of criminals allegedly involved in the loot of a jewellery shop on Christmas.

On December 25 evening, a gang of nine armed criminals entered a jewellery shop — part of a chain of jewelry shops — in Chanchal and took away gold, silver, diamond ornaments and cash worth around Rs 5 crore.

Pradeep Kumar Yadav, the district police chief, said the gang was led by Lalu Sahani, wanted in a number of cases both in Bengal and in Bihar.

“He is the mastermind behind this robbery. We have identified him by scanning CCTV footage. One of his associates has been arrested in Chanchal. We have information that this gangster is hiding in Jharkhand. Our officers are taking necessary steps to nab him,” said Yadav.

According to police sources, Shahjahan, 34, from Nimgachi village in Mallikpara area of Chanchal, who is associated with the gang has been arrested.

“During our investigation, we have come to know that Shahjahan was working in a construction company in Jaipur of Rajasthan. He returned home a couple of months back. From Chanchal, he used to help Lalu Sahani’s gang. He would help the gang with cars and motorcycles used in crimes and had given shelter to gang members when they had fled Bihar to evade arrests,” said a police officer.

Lalu, police sources said, is a notorious criminal with varied associates.

“Even in Jharkhand, his associates are guarding him. That is why the police can’t make a hasty move to arrest him. He is involved in many robberies and murders in Bihar,” said a source.

The gang, police sources said, targets jewellery chains instead of standalone shops.

Police escort

The Chanchal robbery prompted the police in other districts of the state to alert jewellery shop owners and employees. In Alipurduar, where four attempts to loot jewellery shops were made this past month, cop escorts have been offered when shop owners carry ornaments between their homes and shops, Y. Raghuvamshi, the Alipurduar SP said.