Baghdad police arrest gang accused of stealing from public bus passengers

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Police in Baghdad's Karkh district have arrested an organized gang accused of stealing mobile phones and personal belongings from passengers boarding Kia public transport buses, the Karkh Police Command announced. According to the command, the Munsur Crime Combat Unit under the Karkh Anti-Crime Directorate carried out the operation after intelligence work and field surveillance. Investigators said gang members first distracted victims as they boarded the bus, then blocked their path during disembarkation to allow another member to carry out the theft. The suspects were tracked and caught during a raid, the statement said, without specifying how many people were detained. Stolen items were recovered at the scene, according to the announcement. The command said legal proceedings have been launched against those in custody and that the judicial process is underway. No further details were immediately available.