Accused who gave cops a slip arrested

PANJIM, SEPT 10
The main accused behind the series of burglaries and who managed to give the police a slip on Thursday has been arrested in a joint operation by Colva and Agasaim police teams on Friday.
The accused identified as Michael Luis Fernandes had escaped the North Goa police raid wherein three other accomplices were arrested in combing operation at Siolim.
The gang was actively involved in crimes like dacoit, vehicle thefts, impersonation robbery and others. The notorious gangsters in August had looted atleast four tourists including foreigners at gunpoint, giving sleepless nights to police.
Agassaim police informed that Michael, said to be the brainchild of crimes, earlier stole a motorcycle from Panjim bus stand and abandoned at Mapusa bus stand. After escaping the arrest in the combing operation at Siolim market – where other accomplices were arrested from a guest house – Michael used the same bike to go to Colva.
“He hired a hut near Colva beach on a daily payment of Rs 200. However, through his telecommunications and tip-off information, we located him and arrested thereafter,” said a police official.  The trio alleged accused – Raju Devar, Kalpesh Shirodkar and Yan John are remanded to police custody. The investigating teams had recovered a pistol and Maruti Zen car from them.
Meanwhile, Calangute police have seized three motorcycles, which were apparently used by the gang for committing offenses.