Police nab armed gang

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: An armed robber gang responsible for a series of hold ups in the South were arrested on Saturday by the Pitigala police who also seized a cab, two three-wheelers and two motorcycles used by the gang in the robberies.

The same gang was responsible for grabbing an estate payroll of Rs. one million on September 13, after they waylaid the factory owner while returning with the cash withdrawn from the Thalgaswela bank.

According to OIC Pitigala Police Ranjan Wijesekera the gang had blocked the vehicle of the factory owner with the cab and a motorcycle before staging the heist. The money was seized at gun point. Following an investigation conducted by the Pitigala police under the instructions of the DIG Southern Range Jayantha Gamage and Elpitiya SSP Amarasinghe four members of the gang were arrested on Saturday from separate locations.

"When we arrested the robbers, we seized the cab used for the robberies, two three-wheelers and two unregistered motorbikes all valued at over Rs.2.5 million," he added.

One of the suspects was a one time soldier who later served in the Royal Jordanian Army for five years. Another suspect was identified as an Air Force deserter.According to OIC Wijesekara, the ex-soldier was arrested on the day of homecoming of the former Airman at the latter's home in Kottawa. The remaining two members were arrested in Mapalagama.

Inquiries revealed that the gang had robbed four vans carrying cigarette along with cash in Pitigala, Baddegama and in Akmeemana. Pitigala police also recovered gold items, cash and several mobile phones from the possession of the gang.

The members of the gang were produced before the Elpitiya Magistrate and remanded.