KANCHEEPURAM: In a major breakthrough, Kancheepuram police have arrested five men from Kerala for their alleged role in the Rs 4.5-crore highway robbery that took place near Aathupudur in August. The gang had waylaid a car transporting cash from Bengaluru to Chennai and escaped with the money after abducting two drivers.
Police identified the accused as Santhosh, Sujithlal, Jayan, Kurukan alias Murugan and Kunju Mohammad from Palakkad, Kollam, and Thrissur districts. Investigators said the group was part of a larger interstate network, with at least 13 others suspected to be involved. A special team has been sent to Kerala to trace the others.
According to investigators, the crime was linked to a logistics company owned by Jatin (56) of Borivali, Mumbai, which has been transporting money and goods on commission since 2017. On August 20, the firm sent Rs 4.5 crore in an SUV from Bengaluru to Sowcarpet, through its drivers Piyush Kumar and Devendra Patel.
As the vehicle approached Aathupudur, three cars intercepted it. The gang, armed with knives, allegedly abducted the drivers and sped away with the cash-laden car. Near Arcot in Ranipet, they shifted the money to another vehicle, abandoned the SUV and drivers, and fled.
Jatin, upon information, rushed to Tamil Nadu and lodged a complaint with the Kancheepuram police. Following weeks of investigation under the supervision of SP Shanmugam, the Kerala-based gang was tracked down and arrested and remanded. Police said further investigation is under way to recover the stolen cash and identify the remaining suspects.
Special team sent to Kerala to nab others involved
Police identified the accused as Santhosh, Sujithlal, Jayan, Kurukan alias Murugan and Kunju Mohammad. Investigators said the group was part of a larger interstate network. A special team has been sent to Kerala to trace the others