Day after attack on Tasmac collection vehicle, guard dies

The gang threw chilli powder at Rajendran before attacking him with sharp weapons

The private security guard, who was attacked by a gang that sought to rob a Tasmac revenue collection vehicle in Rajamangalam on Monday afternoon, died at the Stanley Medical College Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rajendran (54), the victim, was a resident of Radhakrishnan Street in Avadi and a former CRPF personnel. Following his retirement from CRPF, he was working with Radiant Cash Management Services, which had taken the contract for collection of Tasmac revenue from different parts of the city.

Around 3.30 p.m. on Monday, Rajendran along with Mohan, a collection agent, and driver Vinod Kumar went around collecting money from different outlets in the suburbs. When they reached Kolathur, Mohan walked into the shop, and all of a sudden, a few men armed with sharp weapons threw chilli powder at Rajendran.

“He was blinded by it and the gang attacked him as he was carrying a gun,” said an official from Radiant.

Sensing danger, Vinoth Kumar took the locker and car keys and fled. “The gang chased him with sharp weapons, but he managed to escape. The gang was unable to break open the locker which had Rs. 40 lakh in it. We are really proud of the bravery shown by Rajendran and others,” said the official.

Rajendran was rushed to the Stanley Medical College hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The police is said to have identified the suspects with the help of photos taken by a passerby.

Robbery in 2015

The police are yet to crack a similar robbery that took place on ECR last year. In August 2015, three men stole Rs. 80 lakh kept in the vehicle of a cash management services firm near Kanathur.

According to the police, two of the company staff and the vehicle driver were delegated to collect cash. After collecting nearly Rs. 80 lakh in several small boxes, they headed to ECR.

When the vehicle reached a Tasmac shop near Kanathur, two collection agents went to the shop and left the cash in the care of the driver. At this point, three men threatened the driver at knifepoint and fled with the money.