Robbers hit Rs3.5m jackpot in brazen robbery

Police suspect involvement of electronics warehouse staff

KARACHI:

In a brazen robbery, gunmen looted Rs3.5 million from employees outside an electronics warehouse, situated just in front of the main gate of the Preedy police station, on Thursday. Ironically, police suspected the involvement of warehouse employees in the daredevil crime.

As per police report, the armed robbers escaped after depriving the electronics warehouse staff of Rs3.5 million at gunpoint.

"Two employees were leaving the building with the cash on a motorcycle when two unidentified gunmen, also on a motorcycle, snatched the money bag at gunpoint and escaped," Zahid Ali, SHO Preedy police station, said.

He did not rule out the warehouse staff's involvement in the incident. Despite the incident occurring a mere 30 to 50 feet away from the warehouse, with the police station about a hundred feet away, the theft was reported to the police after half an hour.

The SHO also noted that the CCTV cameras outside the warehouse had their wires deliberately disconnected to prevent recording. CCTV cameras inside the warehouse were found directed upwards, he added.

Police detained several warehouse workers for questioning.

Read Two ‘robbers’ killed in police ‘encounter’

The situation is currently under scrutiny as police work to unravel the details surrounding this brazen robbery.

Cop robbed at doorstep

A cop along with his family was robbed at gunpoint at the doorstep of their house, on returning from a ceremony in Shah Faisal Colony.

According to the CCTV footage of the incident, the police officer, Saqib and his family were deprived of gold jewellery, mobile phones and cash at gunpoint. While escaping from the scene, the robbers also fired in the air. The officer was a former Reader of SP Investigation East and was recently posted at the East headquarters. A case was registered against the unidentified suspects at Shah Faisal Colony police station.

Youth shot dead

Armed robbers shot one more young man dead on his resistance in Orangi Town. Two motorcycle-riding suspects fatally shot a young man outside his residence when he bravely resisted their attempt to snatch his mobile phone.

This citizens have developed panic and fear about falling victim to ruthless robbers, with the death toll rising to 131 so far this year due to firing incidents by robbery suspects. Additionally, countless civilians have suffered injuries in the crossfire during these criminal activities. Despite senior police officers’ claims of a decline in street crimes, the reality on the ground paints a contrasting picture.

Read  Cop, son perish trying to foil mugging bid

The recent incident took place near the Siddique Akbar Masjid in Sector 14B of Orangi Town, where 25-year-old Raheel lost his life during a robbery incident. His body was subsequently sent to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for post-mortem. SHO Pakistan Bazar police station, Shakeel Rind, identified the victim and provided preliminary details of the incident.

According to reports, Raheel was sitting outside his house, using his mobile phone, when two armed robbers forcibly snatched it. In a courageous act of resistance, Raheel managed to catch one of the robbers. However, during the struggle, the accomplice fired a fatal shot, hitting Raheel in the chest causing his instant death. The perpetrators fled the scene without any further hurdle. Police investigations found two 9mm pistol shells and five live rounds at the crime scene. The victim was unmarried and worked in a garments factory. Law enforcement is pursuing leads by examining CCTV footage from escape routes of the suspects in hopes of identifying and bringing the heartless robbers to justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2023.