Hyderabad: OU police arrested three people, who allegedly robbed a trader and escaped with Rs 3 lakh after trapping him with a promise to exchange his demonetised currency.
The suspects, Venkata Srinivas Pilla alias Srinivas Naidu, P. Ashwin and B. Shivudu targeted the victim on November 13 night. They lured the victim promising to exchange his currency in the Seethpalmandi area. Two other members of the gang, Pavan and Krishna, are still at large, inspector, V. Ashok said.
Police said Venkata contacted the victim and went to his place along with Ashwin. He then introduced him as cashier of a state-run bank and promised to get the old notes exchanged. “Ashwin then asked the victim to accompany him to the bank while the four others followed them. On the way, Shivudu along with Pavan and Krishna, impersonating as policemen, stopped their bike and started grilling the victim about the cash,” said the inspector. They asked him to hand over the cash and threatened to book a case. “When he refused they beat him up, took the cash forcibly and escaped from the spot,” said Ashok.
Venkata and Ashwin, who kept quiet during the incident then made the victim board an autorickshaw and asked him to go home. The victim filed a complaint and a case of robbery was registered.
Police recovered the stolen Rs 2.5 lakh from them. The cops launched a manhunt to nab the absconding suspects.
