Sonipat: A daylight robbery at a jewellery shop in Sonipat district was cracked within hours after the police arrested all four accused persons following a brief encounter on Saturday.During the exchange of fire, the alleged kingpin, Sagar, sustained a bullet injury to his leg, said the police.According to the police, the incident occurred around 10 am at the jewellery shop in Kharkhoda’s Ratan Market. Two men entered the store posing as customers and asked for silver chains and bracelets.As salesman Bhola displayed the jewellery on the counter, one of the accused allegedly threw chilli powder into his eyes, while another grabbed a box containing silver ornaments and fled the shop.The shop owner and nearby traders immediately chased the suspects. One of the accused persons was overpowered by the locals at the scene, while three others escaped in a car that had been parked nearby. The entire incident was captured on the shop’s CCTV cameras.The apprehended accused identified himself as Pawan, a resident of Jagasi village. During initial questioning, he revealed the names of his accomplices — Sagar, from Jagasi, and Anuj and Lakshya, from Barona village.Based on a complaint filed by salesman Bhola, Kharkhoda police registered a case of robbery and launched an extensive manhunt to arrest the culprits.While tracking the fugitives, the Kharkhoda crime unit received an input that the trio was hiding near the NCR Water Channel between Rohtak road and Chhichhrana road.The police said that when officers attempted to surround the suspects, Sagar opened fire on the team, discharging three rounds. The police retaliated in self-defence, during which Sagar was shot in the leg. He was subsequently arrested along with his associates, Anuj and Lakshya. Sagar was later admitted to the Govt Hospital in Kharkhoda, the police added.Senior police officials, including DSP Narendra Kadian, ACP Joginder Sharma and station house officer Anil Kumar, later visited the spot.The DSP said the prime accused had conducted surveillance of the jewellery shop for several days before carrying out the robbery.Police said the suspects rented a self-drive car from Jagasi to execute the crime. Police are also examining whether the same vehicle was used in other criminal incidents.Sagar has a long criminal record, with more than half a dozen cases registered against him across Sonipat, Karnal and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The cases include robbery, dacoity, snatching and theft, said the police.Police also recovered the looted jewellery and the vehicle used in the crime. Further interrogation is underway to establish the accused’s involvement in other offences and identify any additional accomplices.MSID:: 132805583 413 |
