Bid to rob jeweller thwarted, 7-member gang held in Sowcarpet

The police said that the friend of the jeweller was among those arrested, and added that a machete and chilli powder sachet were seized from them.

The accused were identified as K Mannan (28) of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, B Prakash (20) of Kodungaiyur, P Gopi (25) of Arakkonam, K Ashiq (25) of Nanmangalam, R Vinoth (29) of Perambur, B Naveen (26) and S Pawan (28) ofAndhra Pradesh.

Except Mannan, the rest of the gang members were secured from Murugappa Road-NSC Bose Road junction for interrogation around 10 pm on Tuesday, as they were found to be moving in a suspicious manner. As the gang was in possession of a machete, they were grilled further during which they revealed their plan to carry out the robbery. Based on their confession, Mannan wasalso secured.

Mannan reportedly told the police that he was a goldsmith and suffered losses in the business. He also claimed that he was cheated by one of his employees. So, he decided to rob his friend Santhosh alias Kumastha, who runs a jewellery shop in Egmore. Mannan colluded with one Suresh, an autorickshaw driver and brother of another accused Naveen, and hatched a plan to rob Santhosh as he visited Sowcarpet on Tuesdays and Fridays to deliver jewels designed by him and take fresh orders from shops in the locality.

"On Tuesday, Mannan showed the gang the two-wheeler of Santhosh parked in the locality and left the place. The gang was waiting for Santhosh to return to rob him at knifepoint before which we secured them," said the police. All of them were booked under Section 341, 294 (b), 393, 506 (ii) of the IPC and 25(1)(b) of the Arms Act and remanded in judicial custody. A hunt has been launched for Suresh, who is absconding.