6-member gang that looted Rs 5.5 lakh held

Koramangala police have arrested a six-member gang, which had made away with Rs 5.5 lakh cash from a cash collector, after stabbing him in his stomach near Koramanagala I Block on September 1.

The arrested are Umakanth, 29, Shabari Girish, 22, Shivakumar, 20, Arun Kumar, 22, Anil Kumar, 22 and Praveen Kumar, 22. The police recovered Rs 4.5 lakh and three bikes used to commit the crime. 

The police said the victim Umesh, a resident of Marathalli and an employee of a private company, was engaged for collecting cash from private mobile phone outlets in HSR Layout and Koramangala. On September 1, he was on his way back after collecting cash from a couple of outlets in HSR Layout and Koramangala. 

As he neared Wipro Park in Koramangala Ist Block, a six-member gang, on three bikes waylaid him. When he refused to hand over the cash bag, they stabbed him and fled the spot with the cash. 

“Based on vital information, police arrested Shivakumar who confessed to the crime. On interrogation, he divulged those involved in the crime which helped the police traced the rest to Tamil Nadu and other various parts of Bangalore and arrest them,” police said. 

Praveen Kumar is said to be the son of a head constable Prabhu Naik and resident of police quarters in Austin Town. 

Umakanth and Shabari Girish are habitual offenders with several cases pending in various police stations in City.