Imposter AVS cops fall in police trap

The main accused, Thyagarajan, and his aide Ezhumalai are still at large. 

Police said Thyagarajan introduced himself as Dheenadayalan and claimed to be an advocate to the victim, a 52-year-old widow. Soon, Dheenadayalan, began visiting her house. 

When he was at her house on March 4, three men barged in posing as anti-vice squad and clicked her photos. They threatened and robbed her 12 sovereign, Rs 22,000 cash and two mobile phones. She then started receiving calls seeking Rs 5 lakh more. 

The woman filed a complaint at Maduravoyal police, after which police laid a trap. 

As guided by police, the woman told the extortion gang that she needs her phones to get in touch with her daughter abroad to collect the Rs 5 lakh they demanded. 

Believing her, they asked her to come to a spot in T Nagar. When the gang reached there, a police team that was lying in wait surrounded and arrested them. 

The arrested trio have been identified as W Raja (29) of Villivakkam, D Ashok Victor (32) of Virugambakkam and Nandini. 

They reportedly revealed during interrogation they were part of the gang headed by Thyagarajan, who often targets lone women. “On the day of robbery, Thyagarajan came to the woman’s house along with these three persons and asked them to enter after a while before going in,” said police. 

Five sovereigns and a car have been seized from the arrested persons. A special team has been formed to nab Thyagarajan and Ezhumalai.