A constable attached to City Armed Reserve (CAR) force, south division, was caught by beat police when he and his ally tried to rob a businessman and his friend in Kormangala early on Sunday.
Police sources said the accused Shanthamurthy (31) and Vijayendra (23), a tender coconut vendor, were in an inebriated state when they attacked the duo.
Saipoorna, the businessman, and his friend Shailesh Patnaik, manager at a private bank in the city, were relieving themselves on the road in Koramangala 7th block when Shanthamurthy and Vijayendra approached them demanding cash and other valuables.
However, Saipoorna saw the beat police and began screaming for help. Shanthamurthy and Vijayendra tried to flee but were caught.
Shanthamurthy, who lives at CAR quarters in Audgodi, has been in service for the past 12 years. But senior officials in the department said he had not reported to work for the last 20 days.
Police are investigating whether Shanthamurthy was involved in similar crimes earlier and will decide on retaining him only after investigation.