Chennai: The city police on Monday night arrested a six-member gang hatching a plan to rob an elderly couple at knifepoint in Koyambedu. They were previously involved in robbing and stealing valuables from several people.
The issue came to light when a gang on its way to commit the robbery attacked a man and robbed Rs 1,200 for diesel and food. But, this turned grave for them as the commuter alerted the police control room and the search began.
The complainant, A. Selvakumar (38), from Maduravoyal was on his way home from Koyambedu flower marker at around 7 am when the incident happened. He was intercepted by a vehicle bearing registration number TN 02 BH 0097 came his way, according to the investigating officer.
The men from the car, then threatened to slit Selvakumar’s throat and took Rs 1,200 from him, after which the victim alerted the police. Following this, two teams were formed to nab the six-member gang. On Monday night, the same car sped off during a vehicle check and was surrounded by police just a few metres away.
Seven big knives are seized from the accused, identified as A. Gavaskar (32), M. Murugesan (42), M. Mani (24), D. Selvam (48), K. Muthu (21) and R. UdayaKumar (32), said police.
Further investigations by the police revealed that the gang was already involved in the theft of a two-wheeler and 12 sovereign gold, apparently done to cheer the release of Selvam from prison after a duration of 17 years.
The gang planned to rob the couple on a tip-off from a cab driver who dropped the couple living alone at Mangadu two days back and was on their way in the stolen car with a fake registration number when they robbed Selvakumar and things went south for the gang. All the six men have been arrested and are remanded in judicial custody.
