Two history-sheeters among 5 held for plotting robbery in Chennai
- Five men, including two history-sheeters, were arrested in Chennai for conspiring to commit robbery.
- Police seized a country-made pistol, a knife, and a stolen motorcycle from the suspects.
- The group was planning a heist near Adyar when a patrol team intercepted them.
- All five have been remanded to judicial custody.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine any links to past crimes.
Chennai police have arrested five men, including two history-sheeters, for allegedly plotting a robbery in the city. The suspects were taken into custody late Sunday night in the Adyar area after a police patrol team grew suspicious of their movements.
Patrol team intercepts suspects
The arrests were made near the Adyar bridge around 11 pm. A police patrol noticed a group of men huddled together near a parked motorcycle. The men tried to flee when they saw the police, but were quickly apprehended after a short chase.
During the search, officers recovered a country-made pistol, a knife, and a stolen motorcycle. The bike was later identified as one reported missing from a nearby locality earlier this month.
History-sheeters among the accused
Police identified the five accused as Ravi (32), Kumar (28), Suresh (35), Manoj (26), and Vinod (30). Two of them, Ravi and Kumar, are history-sheeters with prior cases of robbery and assault registered against them in various police stations across Chennai.
The other three have minor criminal records, police said. The group was reportedly planning a heist on a jewellery shop or a cash-heavy business establishment. Officials have not yet confirmed specific targets.
Weapons, stolen bike seized
Investigators suspect the gang had been casing potential targets in the Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur areas for the past few days. The stolen motorcycle was likely going to be used as a getaway vehicle.
Police have also seized a mobile phone from each suspect for forensic analysis. Call records and messages are being examined to identify if any other individuals were part of the plan.
Remanded to custody
The five accused were produced before a magistrate court on Monday. They have been remanded to judicial custody and are currently lodged at the Puzhal central prison.
Police have registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 399 (preparation to commit dacoity) and 402 (assembling for dacoity), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are checking if the gang has links to other unsolved robberies in the city. Further arrests are not ruled out as the probe continues.