A group, including two juveniles, who allegedly robbed several beachgoers in Marina at knifepoint, has been busted by the Anna Square police. Two teenagers have been detained by the police, while the key player, who deployed the teens for a fee, evaded them.
Police said that over the last three months, the youngsters had targeted people on Marina beach, especially after dark, and had robbed them of their mobile phone, cash and other valuables at knifepoint. The gang also struck in the daytime and robbed couples spending time on the sands.
The group's crimes came to light on April 24, after Ayyanar (22), a TASMAC bar employee from Parry's Corner, came to the Marina around 8 p.m. “Ayyanar, who was inebriated, was walking on the beach behind MGR memorial, when four youths intercepted him. They assaulted and threatened him at knifepoint and snatched his mobile phone,” said an investigating officer.
Ayyanar lodged a complaint with the Anna Square police, who registered a case and investigated the matter. “Ayyanar repeatedly called his stolen mobile phone which the suspects were using, and pleaded with them to return it.
Finally, on Sunday night, they decided to return the phone and asked Ayyanar to come behind Anna Square,” the officer added.
An Anna Square police team concealed nearby nabbed the two juveniles while they were returning the instrument. But the key suspect, later identified as Mani alias ‘Bottle Mani' of Nadukuppam in Triplicane, managed to escape.
Interrogation of the teenagers revealed that Mani had been using boys for robbery on the Marina, and would pay them a meagre sum or give them mobile phones after they had committed the crime. A knife, three mobile phones and some cash was seized from the teenagers. A hunt is on to apprehend Mani and to find out if more people were involved in the robberies.
