Shillong, July 28: Vivek Syiem, MPS Superintendent of Police (City) today warn people not to procure stolen mobile phone, if found will be put to jail for three years. It may be informed that the number of reported cases of theft and pick pocketing has been on the rise especially that of mobile phones in busy areas likes markets around Shillong City. These criminals often target Cell phones since they can be easily sold in the Black Market.
As such, public are advised to be cautious and safe guard their mobile phones at all times particularly in public places. They should also refrain from buying second hand mobile phones from strangers or mobiles without any papers and phone box and charger as they are likely to be stolen items.
People coming from rural areas for marketing have been more vulnerable to such mobile phone snatching. The number of cases registered for reported mobile thefts are, In 2015 (127 cases), 2016 (158 cases), 2017 till 31st June (60) mobile theft cases have been reported in the district. In 2016, 77 mobiles were recovered.
In this connection, the public may be informed that a receiver of stolen property is liable U/S 411 IPC, in which the punishment is imprisonment for 3 years. It has also been learnt that stolen mobiles are sent to mobile repair shops to break or reset the password and, as such, the proprietors of such shops have been directed to only break reset the password of phones after they are satisfied that the customer making the request has produced documents and box of the phone to ensure that it is not a stolen phone.
