Man hijacks cab, held after 19 km chase

A 25-year-old man from Lucknow, who hijacked a car parked on the roadside, was caught after a 19 km chase by the police and public in Pallikaranai on Tuesday morning. 

The arrested person was identified as Anushman Lionel Singh from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is a marine photographer and was staying with his friend in Hyderabad. Police said Singh came to the city after a fight with the friend, and added that Anushman looked mentally disturbed. 

According to police, Sivakumar (35), a resident of Pallikaranai and a driver attached to a taxi aggregator, parked his car near the signal at Ram Nagar.

He left the key inside the car and was having tea at a shop nearby. Suddenly, Anushaman got inside the vehicle and drove away. 

Sivakumar shouted for help, which alerted the public and police personnel, who began to chase the vehicle. When the car was speeding on the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road, it rammed an auto-rickshaw and three motorbikes. However, none were injured in the accidents. 

When the car reached the Perungalathur signal, it was intercepted by the traffic police and public. By then, Anshuman had driven 19 km in the stolen car with the police hot on his trail.  

After Anushman refused to come out of the car even after being intercepted, the public broke the window, dragged him out and thrashed him. Soon, police took custody of Anushman and took him to Chromepet GH. Later, he was handed over to the Pallikaranai police. 

As Anushman knew only Hindi, a police officer who spoke the language was tasked to conduct inquiry with him. Police said Anushman, a marine photographer based out of Pune, had lost his job a few months ago. He was living with his friend in Hyderabad, he reached Chennai by flight after a fight with him. Anshuman was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.