Drunk man runs away with cop’s breathalyser, held

But the police team chased and nabbed the man, and handed him over to the Pallikaranai police.

The man, identified as Senthil Kumar from Kovilambakkam who works as a security guard at a private firm, is now cooling his heels after being remanded.

On Monday night, Madipakkam traffic sub-inspector Kanagaraj and three other policemen were on duty near the Echankadu signal at the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road. The team spotted a man riding a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet. But when they tried to intercept him, he went past them without stopping. But the SI and another policeman chased him on a two-wheeler and intercepted the man.

When they checked using the breathalyser, police found he had consumed alcohol. Then, SI Kanagaraj asked for his details to file a case for not wearing a helmet and drunk driving. However, instead of giving the information, Senthil pushed him down and took the e-challan machine and breathalyser, and took to his heels. In the melee, the breathalyser slipped out of his hand and was damaged. The policemen intercepted him after yet another chase and handed him over to the Pallikaranai police.

After an inquiry, the Pallikaranai police registered a case under five sections and remanded Senthil injudicial custody.

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After catching a man for driving under the influence of alcohol in the early hours of Tuesday, Abiramapuram traffic police had an unexpected trouble: his family members, including women and children, who staged a sit-in protest in the middle of the road.

During a vehicle check at Greenways Road, traffic sub-inspector Gajendran and constable Ramesh intercepted a vehicle and reportedly found the driver to be drunk. An argument erupted when they tried to test him with a breathalyser. Another man in the car, who too also allegedly drunk, joined the fracas. Making things worse, four women and five children got out of the vehicle and sat on a protest.

Soon, Abiramapuram sub-inspector Abdul Ajiz rushed to the spot, but the family refused to relent. Then came Kotturpuram Assistant Commissioner Sudarshan and Foreshore Estate inspector Peer Basha who held talks. Finally, the family were sent in a separate vehicle while the car that the man was driving was seized.