VELLORE: A sub-jail warder allegedly took up robbery at nights to earn extra income as well as fulfil his quest for adventure after getting acquainted with the inmates who were specialists in the field.
The 28-year-old was arrested by a patrolling squad on Thursday night while planning a robbery along with other ‘gang members’ on Vaniyambadi Main Road.
Police sources said the accused Prabakaran, a warder at Tirupattur Sub-jail for the past four years, reversed his course of journey from that of a law enforcer to a law violator after getting acquainted with some inmates, mostly robbers and burglars.
He used to smuggle contraband items into the prison premises for his inmate friends, cementing a strong bond with them, the sources added.
The unique tale of “warder-cum-robber” unfolded when a police team headed by Tirupattur Town inspector Shreedharan spotted a gang of six acting suspiciously. A thorough search and interrogation revealed that they were robbers and were planning their day’s task.
The suspects were carrying robbery tools including knife, rope and crowbar.
Apart from warder Prabakaran, other members of the gang were Madhu (22), Hemakaviraj (23), Mugesh (21), Prasanth (20) and Surendhar (24). All belonged to villages around Tirupattur.
Based on their confessions, the remaining members of the gang were also arrested by the police the same night.
Police sources said that they were planning to burgle many houses in the town.
“We suspect Prabakaran’s involvement in several house breaking incidents. However, as of now, we haven’t established any connection in this regard,” said a senior police officer.
“He was lured into these kind of activities by some inmates by highlighting the prospects. Now, he faces only attempt to robbery charge,” he added.