3 dacoits caught, cops launch manhunt for others

Alert neighbours helped nab two dacoits belonging to a six-member gang that swooped down on a house on East Main Road in Gandhi Nagar in Virudampet Police limits on Tuesday night.

The owner of the house sustained deep cuts after the dacoits attacked him with sharp weapons.

Police said they looted at least 100 sovereigns gold jewellery and `2 lakh cash from the house.

On hearing a knock on the main door at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, Poniyakodi (57) opened the door only to undergo a terrifying experience at the hands of the band of dacoits.

The intruders, armed with sickles and knives, barged into the house.

They held Poniyakodi, who ran a mess in the VIT University, and his wife Sujatha (50) hostage at knife-point.

The gang robbed gold jewellery weighing around 100 sovereign and cash worth `2 lakh.  On hearing Poniyakodi,  screams, neighbours rushed to his house and managed to catch hold of two dacoits, later identified as Radhakrishnan (25) and Hari Babu (30) of Hosur in Krishnagiri district.

The others sped away in the car. Residents alerted the district police who directed the police across the district to conduct vehicle checks in their jurisdictions.

Police personnel attached to Ambur Sub-Division intercepted the vehicle bearing registration number KA 01 P 7787 near the tollgate at Pallikonda.

“We arrested one Saravanan (25) of Hosur. However, three of his associates managed to escape,” said a senior police officer.

Inspector General of Police (North Zone) P Kannappan interrogated the dacoits to find out the hideout of their members and if they were involved in other cases. “They said that the dacoits went in a small gang andpicked potential targets. They used to strike at the right time and escape with valuables.

“We suspect that they had been involved in several robberies and  dacoity cases in north zone,”  police said.

Virudampet police have booked a case of dacoity  against Saravanan and his associates.

“We will arrest all the gang members within a couple of days and recover the entire stolen property,” said the Superintendent of Police.