BANGALORE: Police on Tuesday said they had opened fire at a chain-snatcher when he attacked an inspector in Hegde Nagar.
Raju alias Appi (28) received bullet injuries on his knee while Inspector Rajeev sustained an injury on his left hand.
The incident took place early in the morning when Swathi, an employee in KIAL, was waiting for a cab at Venkatala village near Kogilu Cross.
Appi, a resident of Adugodi, and his accomplice Ravi allegedly snatched a gold chain from Swathi and escaped.Onlookers told Swathi to alert the police. She called the police control room. An alert was flashed to all specially designated officers on their morning rounds.Rajeev, inspector at the Yelahanka station, and Muralidhar, inspector at the Chikkajala station, swung into action and collected information about the accused, who had sped away on a Pulsar motorbike.
The police chased the two for about 10 km. The accused tried to escape into a eucalyptus grove near Bilehalli Cross on Kottanoor Road, according to the police.
The inspectors intercepted the bike, and in a bid to escape, Appi allegedly attacked Rajeev, who then opened fire. Inspector Muralidhar shot at Appi’s left leg. Ravi alias Muniya managed to escape. Raju and Rajeev were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Raju, a habitual offender, is involved in more than 15 criminal cases, police said.