VILLUPURAM: : Police officials seized a US-made pistol on Sunday morning from a four-member gang near here who fled the spot on seeing the patrol bikes.
According to sources in the Valavanur police station, the officials were patrolling the Villupuram-Puducherry national highway on their bikes when they saw four men standing near a car on the side of road at Ellarpalayam hamlet near Puducherry border. On seeing the police, the quartet quickly got into the car and sped away. The police tried to chase them but the car entered Puducherry region and accelerated to a speed where the police officials could not keep up in their bikes.
The officers, however, were able to note down the registration number of the vehicle after which they returned to the spot where they had first seen the car. There they found the pistol and few half-empty bottles of alcohol.
The pistol and bottles were brought back to the Valavanur police station where a case was registered. On information, the Villupuram Deputy Superintendent of Police Seetharaman visited the station and inspected the pistol.
A source said the pistol is an American-made 5.65 mm weapon. Usually only rifles are available in 5.65 mm. This is the first time the police have come across a pistol of this make. The source added that the pistol was bound to carry an identification number, using which the buyer can be traced.
Meanwhile, the police drew a blank with the car’s registration number as it proved to be a fake one.
The police in Puducherry were also alerted as the quartet entered the Union Territory while fleeing. Security was tightened at all check posts across Villupuram and further investigation was on.