Chennai: A head constable who was sprayed with pepper spray managed to chase down a history-sheeter thanks to the help provided by an autorickshaw driver.
Early on Friday, head constable Vijayakanth, attached to the Madipakkam police station, noticed that one Sundharam, a history-sheeter, was about to break into a house at Dhandeeswaram Nagar at Velachery.
The police officer, who was in plain clothes, immediately held Sundharam from behind. But Sundharam whipped out a can of pepper spray, sprayed it on Vijayakanth and escaped in a car. Vijayakanth, suffering a burning sensation on his mouth, nose and eyes, cried for help but also gave chase on foot.
Autorickshaw driver Mohanasundaram who saw the scene picked up Vijayakanth and chased the suspect. After about 1 km, Vijayakanth and Mohanasundaram were able to stop Sundharam and apprehend him. He was handed over to the Velachery police who arrested him and remanded him to judicial custody.
Police said Sundharam, 35, of Saidapet, is a history-sheeter with many cases of theft, burglary and a murder case pending against him.
Vijayakanth was admitted to a hospital and discharged after the treatment. City police commissioner A.K. Viswanathan on Friday rewarded Vijayakanth and Mohanasundaram for their work.
