When the employee of a Kurnool-based jewellery store complained about being robbed in March by three men posing as income tax sleuths, the only clue with the city police was the CCTV camera grab of the cab that was used in the crime.
Initially, the police grilled the complainant, Tippu Sultan, to rule out his involvement. But after analysing the incident, they stumbled upon CCTV camera footage of the taxi used in the crime. Based on clues obtained from the footage, they zeroed in on the travel agency that supplied the cab. A detailed questioning of the staff led them to their counterparts from Andhra Pradesh.
Police nabbed B. A. Shekhar (40), a civil constable from Kurnool, and his associates K. Satyanarayana (41) and B. Jayanna (43), attached with Andhra Pradesh Reserve Police Force, and recovered Rs 6.5 lakh from them. Investigations revealed that they were tipped off about Tippu Sultan heading to Bengaluru on March 12 with a large sum of money to buy gold. The trio followed him from Kurnool to the city.
They got on to the same bus as Tippu Sultan. When Mr Sultan alighted near Chikpet, they trio followed him. They had pre-arranged a cab through an acquaintance in a travel firm.
They intercepted Mr. Sultan and, posing as I-T sleuths, demanded documents for the cash. When he failed to produce any, they took him in their car on the pretext of questioning him.
They drove towards Kempegowda International Airport. On the way, they robbed him and fled.
Cases of robbery, impersonation and criminal intimidation have been slapped against the trio who have been taken into police custody for seven days.