Five-member gang held for robbing Dindigul trio

Police said that Johnson (25) of Murugabhavanam near Dindigul while checking websites to buy mobile phones came in contact with Hasan Mohideen of Kancheepuram. After initial talks, Johnson told Hasan that he required 20 phones. Mohideen offered to give discount in the price because of the bulk order and agreed to give the phones for Rs 6,000 a piece, that is a discount of Rs 1000 from the original cost. 

After readying the cash on August 26, Johnson contacted Mohideen who asked him to come to a specific place in Kaveripakkam in Vellore district to receive the phones.

As agreed Johnson along with two of his friends Karthi (24) and Prasanth (23) came to Kaveripakkam. From there, Mohideen took them to an isolated spot, where his associates were hiding, and robbed them of Rs 85,000 and their mobile phones at knife point, before fleeing the spot. 

Later, Johnson lodged a complaint with the Kaveripakkam police, who formed a special team to nab the culprits. 

On Monday night, during a vehicle check at Ocheri near Kaveripakkam, police intercepted five persons who were riding on two motor bikes.  During inquiries, all the five gave contradictory replies. Following this, all of them were taken to the Kaveripakam police station for a detailed investigation during which they admitted to having robbed Johnson and his friends of cash and mobile phones. 

The four persons, who were arrested along with Mohideen, were identified as Syed Ali (38) of Kancheepuram, Mullaivendan (23) of Kaveripakkam and Khader Basha (36) and Ubayadullah (30) both from Chennai. 

Police recovered Rs 65,000 in cash and two motorbikes from the arrested five. Further investigations are on.