Best laid plans: Fleeing ‘robber’ dies in accident

Police say he lost control of the motorcycle and rammed it into an electricity pole

BAHAWALPUR: A robbery suspect died after colliding with an electricity pole allegedly while fleeing after a heist in Bahawalpur on Saturday night. Police said he had been wanted in more than 100 robbery cases and was the leader of a gang of robbers that had robbed houses and waylaid travellers in several districts.

Police said Abdul Lateef had held up Muhammad Imran at his gas dealership on Saturday night. Lateef was on a motorcycle, police said. He broke into the shop and held up Imran and his brother at gunpoint. He snatched Rs15,000 and his cell phone. When the brothers tried to stop him, Lateef shot at them but they ducked and lay on the floor. Police said several people gathered in the area and Lateef fled.

He left his motorcycle and ran, police said. He then snatched a motorcycle from two people at gunpoint and drove away. However, he lost control of the motorcycle and rammed it into an electricity pole. Police said he was injured and several people came over and thrashed him because of which his condition worsened.

He was taken to Civil Hospital and Ahmadpur East police were informed about the incident. The Naushera Jadeed SHO, the Uch Sharif SHO and the Ahmadpur East SHO arrived at the hospital. The doctors referred Latif to Bahawal Victoria Hospital, but he died on the way there.

The three SHOs said the man had been wanted in burglary cases throughout the division. The body has been handed over to his relatives for burial.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2015.