- ‘Phantom’ in police custody and the items (R) seized from his possession on Tuesday. (ST)
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A police team led by East Khasi Hills Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), Vivek Syiem arrested a wanted criminal also known as the “Phantom” who was involved in a spate of burglaries and bike theft cases, from his wife’s residence at Nongspung village, East Khasi Hills at 1pm on Tuesday.
Vivek Syiem told reporters here on Tuesday that the Phantom’s real name is David Lyngdoh (24 years old) but said he used several aliases like Raja and Albert Malngiang.
The police also recovered one Pulsar Bike and a helmet, two fake number plates, six mobile phones, one digital camera, Tata Photon and a duplicate car key from the criminal’s possession.
Syiem informed that the so-called Phantom is a wanted criminal, who is allegedly involved in numerous cases including burglary and bike theft from various localities in the city. He said 13 cases have been registered in various police stations in the city against Phantom pertaining mainly to bike thefts and burglaries during the last few years.
“David Lyngdoh had managed to give a slip to the police on many occasions. Many individuals have been traumatized by his actions in these past few years. He is a very composed criminal who should not be taken lightly,” Syiem said.
Apart from the cases that have been registered, the ASP also informed that there were many unreported illegal activities indulged in by Phantom.
It was mentioned that Phantom is fascinated by motorbikes and he has the knack to enter people’s homes especially those he knows to have no male members.
What distinguishes this criminal from the rest were his actions, Syiem said while elaborating that Phantom could enter somebody’s house easily and steal anything he wants with confidence and without any nervousness. “As far as rating him goes, I would say he is one of a kind,” Syiem laughingly said.
“Phantom would enter someone’s house confidently and he even spend time inside the house to cook something or fry eggs even while he locked those present in the house in other rooms. He is different from other criminals. Phantom could take away someone’s motor bike from their compound and drive that bike by using its original key,” Syiem stated.
Out of the 11 motorbikes stolen by Phantom mostly Pulsar and Charisma, only four have been recovered so far.
When asked about the possibility of Phantom’s involvement with others in these crimes, Syiem said most of the crimes committed by him were individual efforts but there were cases in Laitumkhrah when he was known to have worked with two other guys.
Terming Phantom as a notorious criminal, police are likely to seek his detention under the MPDA. Currently, Phantom is being detained in police custody for 10 days.
Phantom was first arrested by police few years ago and he was lodged in Shillong district jail but was released last year.
Earlier, in 2010, there was an incident where Phantom had tried to escape from Shillong Civil Hospital while police were taking him for treatment.