TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 19,000 to its two patrolling teams, who almost caught thieves by chasing them several miles by risking their lives.
Thirteen personnel from Bicholim police station, Panjim police control room and Robot 27 and 28, including PI Rupendra Shetgaonkar were named for the reward with Goa Police claiming that timely efforts of the police helped avert a possible crime.
The incident happened on Sunday evening when Panjim PCR received a call that a silver coloured car GA-03-P-3163, after refueling with petrol of Rs 1,900 at Amona petrol pump, fled towards Sankhali without making payment. The informant also disclosed that the occupants looked suspicious.
“The message was immediately flashed to the local police and PCR Robots. The suspicious car was first tracked by PCR Robot 27 in Bicholim area…Since it began proceedings towards Mapusa, the PCR directed Robot 28 to intercept the car at Mulgao Par junction,” IGP Sunil Garg said at a press briefing on Monday.
Both Robot vehicles joined the search operation and intercepted the car at Assanora-Par, where it had slowed down due to a traffic snarl. While Robot 27 overtook the suspect car, Robot 28 stopped behind the vehicle. The staff asked the suspicious-looking occupants to alight from the vehicle but since the windowpanes were tinted, they could not be identified.
“The occupants accelerated the car putting the lives of our policemen to risk. Their car tyre burst, but they continued driving rashly. Both Robot vehicle staff displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind. They followed the trail left by the erring culprit’s car disc and found it abandoned at Pedem, Mapusa,” he said.
When police searched the car, they found weapons such as iron rod, screw driver and hammer which indicates that the occupants had an intention to commit thefts. Inquiries also revealed that vehicle had fake registration plate MH-09-BX-9840 as it was stolen from Sangli in Maharashtra.
