Team Herald
VASCO: The Verna Police have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in robbing a businessman from Sancoale.
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The accused have been identified as Sachit Naik (55), also a businessman from Sancoale, Gokuldas Naik (45) of Borim, and Mandar Prabhu (31) of Shiroda. One of the assailants remains at large. The arrested individuals have been remanded in three days of police custody.
Mandar Prabhu has a history of criminal involvement, with cases registered against him at the Ponda and Quepem police stations, informed SP South, Sunita Sawant.
The incident occurred near Loto Garage, Santrant, Cortalim, on January 8, when the accused allegedly assaulted Vijayan T. Thottarayath (52), a businessman and proprietor of Jim Cam Souparnika Bar and Restaurant, and robbed him as he was travelling towards Margao in his car.
The robbers allegedly snatched a gold chain, a mobile phone, and Rs 10,000 in cash from Thottarayath, with the total value amounting to Rs 2 lakh. The victim sustained injuries to his right leg, wrist, and head.
Based on intelligence inputs, the police arrested the three accused. During the investigation, the police discovered that the assault was motivated by business rivalry. Thottarayath had previously worked at a bar and restaurant owned by Sachit Naik but had quit the job about a year and a half ago to open his own establishment.
The police have recovered the car, which had a fake number plate, along with five money caps, two iron pipes, a baseball bat, and an iron lever.
The accused have been remanded to police custody. The Verna police have registered the case, and further investigations are ongoing under the guidance of Verna PI
Melson Colaco.
