A 22 Member Gang Accused of Atleast 70 Incidents of Mugging and Vehicle Theft Caught in Istanbul

In an operation carried out simulateously in three different sections of the Istanbul, a criminal gang led by Muammer Sekman (30) was hoped destroyed by the arrest of its leader. The police operation, named "Sweep," was termed by the Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah as being "the biggest operation of its kind in the last few years." The criminal group has been identified as being responsible for atleast 70 serious incidents in the city of late. Among the gang members identified was one person working in the computer division of a security firm at Ataturk International Airport. In addition to being linked to 13 cases of auto theft, the group is also thought linked to countless cases of so-called "bank-following" thefts and organized purse snatchings. Regarding the successful arrest of the group's leader, Police Chief Cerrah noted "Our efforts to combat criminal groups like this will continue without break."