Two held for robbing biker to tune of Rs1.78 lakh

The Chembur unit of crime branch on Friday arrested two people for allegedly robbing a biker to the tune of Rs1.78 lakh. The suspects had threatened the victim at knifepoint and thrown chilli powder on him before fleeing with the bag containing the cash.

The two have been identified as Irfan Shaikh and Mohammad Afsar Ansari.

According to crime branch sources, on December 15, complainant Sayyed Ashraf Ali, a resident of Girgaum, was riding to Kurla from Santa Cruz when, on Link Road, he lost balance and his bike skidded.

"Minutes later, the two accused came on a bike, threatened Ali with a knife, put chilli powder on his face and fled with his bag. On receipt of specific information, the two were held from Shivaji Nagar area," said a crime branch officer.

The police suspect the two could be involved in other similar cases and are investigating the same. "We are also probing whether the duo belong to any gang robs motorists on highways," the officer said.