Two engineering students, who attempted robbery after one allegedly could not pay his semester fees, were arrested on Thursday.
While one was nabbed by the public, the other was rounded up by a police team in Tambaram.
The robbery was attempted around 10.15 a.m. on Wednesday at the residence of Rathinam (40) on Vinayarajapuram 3 Street, Vengaivasal.
“Rathinam was alone at home when a youth barged into her kitchen and held her at knifepoint. She pleaded with him to let her go and to her surprise, the youth relented. She screamed out loud and hearing her cries, neighbours rushed in and nabbed the youth,” Rathinam’s husband Sridhar said.
The Selaiyur police identified the youth as Pravendran (22) of Cuddalore, student of a private engineering college in Maraimalai Nagar.
Following his confession, police teams apprehended his classmate and accomplice Vettrichelvan (22) of Medavakkam, from Tambaram on Thursday morning.
The duo planned the robbery after Pravendran was unable to pay his semester fees. Vettrichelvan stood guard near Rathinam’s house while Pravendran went in to rob her. Vetrichelvan fled when his friend was caught, the police said.
The duo were remanded in custody and sent to Puzhal prison. The police are investigating if more persons were involved in the robbery attempt.
