Rayagada Police Return Over 100 Stolen Mobile Phones to Their Owners

Rayagada, Odisha – A wave of relief swept through the streets of Rayagada this week when police announced that they had managed to retrieve and hand over more than one‑hundred stolen mobile phones to the people who reported them missing.

The operation, which began in early February, involved a series of raids on several suspected hideouts across the district. Officers tracked down the devices using a combination of call‑detail records, public tips and, in a few cases, the phones’ own GPS‑based location services.

When the haul was finally catalogued, the number was staggering – over 100 phones, ranging from basic feature models to the latest smartphones. “We’re pleased that we could return so many devices. It’s not just about the gadget; it’s about the data, the photos, the contacts that people lose,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajendra Kumar during a brief press conference.

Owners who had filed missing‑phone reports over the past few months were asked to present a copy of the original purchase receipt or a screenshot of the IMEI number. After verification, the police handed back the phones, often with a sigh of relief and a handful of grateful smiles. “I thought it was gone forever,” said Ramesh Patnaik, who lost his phone during a market robbery in January. “Getting it back feels like a second chance.”

The police also used the opportunity to remind the public about basic safety measures. They urged citizens to lock their devices with strong passwords, enable “Find My Phone” services, and, most importantly, report any theft immediately. “The sooner we know, the better our chances of recovering the device,” the SP emphasized.

While the exact number of stolen phones reported in Rayagada over the last year is unknown, officials believe the recent success will encourage more victims to come forward. The department has already logged the recovered phones into a central database to track any future misuse.

Community leaders, too, have praised the police effort, calling it a “bright spot” in an otherwise challenging period for law‑and‑order in the region. They hope the momentum will continue, not just for phone thefts but for other property crimes as well.

For now, the district’s residents can breathe a little easier, knowing that their lost devices have been found, and that the police are actively working to keep their neighborhoods safer.