Bengaluru: A routine commute on a BMTC bus turned into a harrowing experience for a software engineer after a gang of four stole his mobile phone. His quick reflexes, coupled with timely intervention of the bus crew and commuters, foiled the theft, leading to the arrest of one pickpocket while three accomplices escaped.Software engineer Likhith, employed at a firm in Electronics City Phase 1, said he finished work at 5.15pm on July 20 and was all set to board BMTC bus (route no. NICE 10E; registration number KA-57-F-5969) at Electronics City stop to return home in Madanayakanahalli, Bengaluru North taluk.As the bus neared the stop, four persons surrounded him and started pushing him towards the bus door in an apparent attempt to create confusion. One of the men managed to remove Likhith’s mobile phone, valued at Rs 35,000, from his trouser pocket.Realising that the phone had been stolen, Likhith alerted the conductor. “He asked me to immediately get into the bus and instructed the driver to lock both the doors.”Since it was a NICE 10E bus with minimum stops, most of the passengers were regular commuters. The conductor, Umesh, identified some new faces standing near the rear door. He warned that everyone on board would be taken to the police station unless the stolen phone was returned, Likith said.One of the accused who hadn’t boarded the bus tried to return the phone threw a window, claiming that someone had dropped it while boarding when Umesh refused to release his accomplices, and escaped. Two others, who appeared to be minors, also fled, while one accused, identified as Prem, 40, was trapped.All the pickpockets were speaking in Telugu. Prem initially started requesting that the crew open the bus door, claiming his father was sick and that he was facing an emergency. Later, he tried to jump from the emergency exit window, but passengers and the conductor stopped him.Likhith said Prem was making desperate attempts to get out of the bus. “The co-passengers, conductor and I were shocked when he started biting his lips and tongue to cause a bleeding injury and creating a commotion. I immediately called helpline 112 and lodged a complaint,” Likith said.Electronics City police said Prem is a native of Vijayawada. He is part of a gang which targets passengers in BMTC buses and crowded places. Likith thanked the bus crew for their timely action and saving his phone.
