The Valley Crime Investigation Branch (VCIB), Hanumandhoka, has arrested a criminal, Durga Bahadur Tamang, alias Jiban Tamang, a permanent resident of Chatura-7 in Nuwakot district, from Samakhusi area of the capital.

Fourteen accomplices of Tamang, including a former policeman, are still absconding, according to reports.

Tamang, who was in the list of most-wanted criminals, allegedly masterminded eight robberies in Kathmandu that took place over a period of one year.

According to the police, he is charged with looting property worth over Rs 5 million.

According to Chief of the VCIB, Keshav Adhikari, police are still looking for 14 persons involved in the robberies.

Adhikari said the group led by Jiban Tamang looted cash and valuables worth Rs 256,000 from the house of Sadhuram Regmi at Saraswotinagar in Kathmandu, property worth Rs 765,176 from the house of Tej Bahadur Gurung at Chapalibhadrakali, property worth Rs 272,000 from the house of Ambika Shrestha at Bouddha, cash and valuables worth Rs 190,000 from the house of Mingma Lama at Kapan, property worth Rs 205,000 from the house of Kamala Rijal, property worth Rs 700,000 from the house of Krishna Bahadur Shrestha and cash and valuables from Nawang Thinle Lama of Kapan Gumba.

Meanwhile, police teams deputed from VCIB arrested four armed robbers from Manamaiju VDC-8 in the capital Sunday night. Those arrested include Diamond Lama of Dolakha, Bijaya Subba of Sunsari, Prakash Thakuri of Ilam and Suraj Gurung of Nuwakot district. Police have recovered a pistol and khukuris from them.