The Special Investigation Unit of Karachi Police have claimed to have arrested a group of suspected robbers for carrying out robberies while “disguised as Bykea,” a ride-hailing service, riders.

The SIU team recovered a Bykea’s helmet, arms and motorbikes from the suspected criminals, SIU Senior Superintendent of Police Junaid Ahmad Shaikh was quoted as saying in a statement on Friday.

The suspects, allegedly involved in robbing citizens withdrawing money from ATMs and other street crimes, were arrested after a tip-off from a police informer.

The suspects were arrested near Chaman Aziz Mosque at the UP More in New Karachi after a police informer tipped off the SIU of the suspects’ presence, Shaikh said. He claimed that their two accomplices have escaped and a search was under way to apprehend them.

The SIU recovered four 30-bore pistols, two motorbikes and two Bykea helmets. The suspects were booked under different sections of the Sindh Arms Act.

The suspects identified as Waqas, Kamran, Imran and Muhammad Rehman, confessed to carrying out multiple crimes in Shah Faisal Colony, Nazimabad, Korani and other areas, SSP Sheikh stated.

All of the accused were drug addicts and have been arrested multiple times before. One suspect, Rehman had been selling drugs in the jurisdiction of Rizvia police station prior to his involvement in street crimes, he added.

The arrested suspects were under investigation, while the police stations concerned have been informed as per the suspects’ statements.

SSP Sheikh ordered SIU teams to arrest all those involved in carrying out robberies in the guise of ride-hailing service staffers.