By Our Reporter
Shillong: Two days after a wanted criminal also known as the “Phantom” who was involved in a spate of burglaries and bike theft cases was arrested for the third time, the police made sure that he is booked under the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act.
“David Lyngdoh (Phantom) had managed to give a slip to the police on many occasions. Several individuals have been traumatized by his actions in the past few years. He is a very composed criminal who should not be taken lightly”, police informed.
The so-called Phantom was arrested on Sunday morning. He was caught red handed by people at Nongshiliang-Nongthymmai here while trying to enter a house early on Sunday morning.
On being arrested, police went and raided his wife’s house at Nongspung about 35 km from here and found one iron rod, a fake driving license used by him in the name of one, Pyntngenlang Khariong resident of Wahingdoh, different foreign currencies and a car.
Phantom was lucky to have survived the mob on Sunday when the police arrived. He is now admitted at Shillong Civil Hospital.
Police informed that Phantom whose real name is David Lyngdoh (26 ) used to identify himself by aliases name like Raja and Albert Malngiang.
Phantom was first arrested in October 2010 but was released on bail. His second arrest was on July 12 last year. He was given bail after few months.
The so-called Phantom is a wanted criminal, who is allegedly involved in numerous crimes including burglary and bike theft from various localities in the city. Police informed that 13 cases have been registered in various police stations in the city against Phantom mainly for bike thefts and burglaries during the last few years.
Meanwhile, there are speculations that Phantom might also be the infamous massage man (Bah Jyllud) who had for the past few months managed to spread a phobia especially among women.
Police however, are tentative about such claims. “We are not sure about this but the very act of his entering a house when no male is around, to some extent substantiates that claim,” a senior police official said.
Many individuals have been traumatized by Phantom’s actions in these past few years, police said. He is fond of entering homes when no male member is present. Reportedly, Phantom manages to enter such homes quietly and allegedly molests the women in the house.
When asked if Phantom had in him some magic potion, police refused to make any comment. “We don’t know yet whether he uses some medicines which would dull people’s senses and enable him to commit the crimes,”police said.
Last year, police recovered one Pulsar bike and helmet, two fake number plates, six mobile phones, one digital camera, Tata Photon and a duplicate motorbike key from the possession of Phantom.
In one incidents last year, police said, Phantom entered a house and spent time inside that house where he even fried eggs and locked those present in the house in the 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,” police said.
It may be reminded that few years ago Phantom had also jumped from the Shillong Civil Hospital building while police had admitted him there for treatment.