KHULNA, Nov 1: Police have arrested three individuals, including two women, in Khulna on charges of robbing a house after posing as prospective tenants.
The suspects allegedly held the housewife at gunpoint, bound her with tape and a scarf, and looted cash and gold ornaments worth Tk 1.82 lakh from the residence.
The incident took place on October 30 at the house of Chayan Kumar Mondol in the B.K. Main Road area of Purba Baniakhama, Mistripara Bazar, under Khulna Sadar Police Station (PS).
As per the case details, a man and two women approached the house pretending to be interested in renting it. While being shown the rooms, they asked the housewife for a glass of water. Upon confirming she was alone, they brandished a gun, gagged her with tape and a scarf, and physically assaulted her.
The robbers then made off with Tk 62,000 in cash, a pair of gold earrings, and two gold rings.
After the homeowner filed a case on October 31, police reviewed CCTV footage and initiated a swift investigation. A team from Sadar PS conducted a raid in the Glaxo Moor Mosque Lane area on Khan Jahan Ali Road and apprehended the accused on Saturday morning.
Law enforcement officials also recovered a portion of the stolen money, mobile phones, and other relevant evidence.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Arif Hasan Russell, 29, son of Amir Ali from Krishnanagar Village in Bagerhat Sadar; Maria Akter Munni, 19, daughter of Shahadat Hossain from Bisharighata Village under Morrelganj Upazila; and Koli Pande, 45, wife of Sanjit Roy from Dauniyafad Village under Jalma Union in Batiaghata Upazila. All were residing in the Glaxo Mosque Lane area of Khulna City.
Briefing reporters at Khulna Sadar PS on Saturday afternoon, KMP Deputy Police Commissioner (South) Sudarshan Kumar Roy provided details of the event.
Police disclosed that the homeowner had previously posted a "for rent" advertisement in a Facebook group titled "Khulnar Basabari Bhara Deya Hoy." A Facebook profile named "Umme Muna" responded to the ad. Since the owner was at work, he asked his wife, Pratima Mondol, to show the house to the visitors.
From the suspects, police recovered the toy pistol, three smartphones, one cap, two pairs of sandals, a set of headscarves, and Tk 2,000 in cash.
Deputy Commissioner Sudarshan Kumar Roy advised homeowners to exercise increased caution when renting out their properties, noting that criminals are increasingly using fake rental inquiries to carry out offenses.
