"The gang members were arrested yesterday by a Crime Branch team from Kashmiri Gate side of old Delhi Railway Station, on specific input, when they arrived there in two autorickshaws to dispose of stolen articles," said Sanjay Kumar Jain, DCP Crime and Railways.
Police recovered four mobile phones, two autorickshaws used in various crimes, a gold ring, one travel bag containing clothes, 261 US dollars, 60 Canadian dollars and 50 tablets of medicines used for drugging the passengers.
They have been identified as Mansoor Alam (28), Mukhtiyar (36), Abrar alias Kaddu Khan (24), Sabid (26) and Anbir (20) -- all residents of Bihar's Kishanganj district. They have been staying here in Paharganj and Nand nagari areas.
With their arrest, police claimed to have solved seven cases of drugging and robbery around New Delhi railway station, Lajpat Nagar, Mandir Marg and Kashmere Gate areas.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to their crime and said they used to travel in autorickshaw with the passengers from bus stops, railway stations and airport on the pretext of sharing the fare, police said.
On the way, they used to offer cold drink or tea laced with sedative to the passengers and when they would become unconscious, they used to rob them and dump them at a secluded place, Jain said, adding sometimes they would befriend a gullible passenger at railway platform and rob him.
Advising the people to be cautions, the DCP said they should always hire an autorickshaw from prepaid booths at railway stations.
"Always note down the registration number of autorickshaw and message it to your family or relatives. Never take any edible from stranger or driver. Avoid sharing an autorickshaw and keep a vigil," Jain said.