Cops crackdown on highway thefts in Bangalore

Bangalore Rural district police will intensify patrolling on National Highway 4 after three gangs indulging in highway robberies were apprehended recently. Inspector general of police (Central range) Kamal Pant said on Saturday three gangs were caught recently due to effective usage of roadblocks on highways.

Pant said apart from roadblocks and check-posts, patrolling would be intensified on highways. On December 11, a gang chased down a car near Mahadevapura on NH 48 around 10pm. After assaulting the driver, Nagesh, they drove away with the car. Nelamangala inspector BR Yathiraj, who was informed about the crime, apprehended the gangsters near Gudemaranahalli by setting up roadblocks.

Upon interrogation, the gangsters gave information about the other gang members, who were arrested later. The gang confessed it committed a similar crime on November 4, when they robbed BJP leader from Nelamangala, Subbanna, near Dobbespet. Subbanna was returning home around midnight.

“The motorcyclists chased the car and threw a beer bottle on the rear windshield, which broke. Soon, Subbanna stopped the car. The gang threatened him and forced him to sit in the rear seat. The car was driven towards a farm near Shivagange, where Subbanna was relieved of `25,000 a gold chain and his cellphone,” said Pant.

With help from villagers, Subbanna reached a police check-post and reported the crime. In another incident, Sridhar, an auditor with a micro-finance company, was offered a drop in a van at Kunigal Circle, Nelamangala, on December 14. He was assaulted and left by the roadside. With help from passers-by, Sridhar informed the police at the nearest check-post and the police chased down the vehicle and caught the robbers.