Alert public foil armed robbery bid at pawn shop in Royapettah

One of the gang members, identified as Ravi Kanth Singh (27) of Uttar Pradesh, and who was brandishing two loaded guns, was caught by a pawn broker and members of the public inside the former’s house while two others, who were waiting outside the house to assist Ravi Kanth, managed to escape. 

Sources said Ravi Kanth’s accomplices were later apprehended by the police from Parry’s Corner locality. The robbery attempt, in true cinematic style, happened around 10.40 am at Jani Jahan Khan Road, Royapettah.  

Munnal Lal (43), a native of Rajasthan, and running a pawn broking shop on the ground floor of his residence at Jani Jahan Khan Road, had opened his shop and was readying to do business. Entering the shop through a side entrance, Ravi Kanth walked straight up to Munna Lal and pressed a country gun to his stomach. 

While Munna Lal stood frozen with fear, Vasantha, the domestic help, saw the gun-wielding Ravi Kanth and raised an alarm. Hearing her screams, Ravi Kanth pushed the other gun he was carrying into the mouth of Vasantha and asked her to keep quiet. He told Munna Lal in Hindi that he had not come to kill them but only to take away valuables in the shop. By the time some locals in the area who had heard the screams of the woman rushed inside the house. 

Police said one Babu, a passer-by rushed into the shop and with the help of Munna Lal tried to overpower Ravi Kanth. Passers-by who had gathered at the spot locked the house from outside and informed the police. Police have recovered two country guns, 12 rounds of bullets, two knives and three SIM cards from Ravi.