Curbing crime: Two robbers arrested in police uniform

MULTAN:

Multan police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two members of a robbery gang who used to strike in police uniforms.

A police spokesman said the four-member gang was wanted for more than 200 robberies in the city.

He said the men used to set up ‘pickets’ in small streets and stopped people for a search. He said they took away cell phones, cash and jewellery from unsuspecting citizens.

He said in December, they had set up as many as 13 pickets in various parts of Multan.

The spokesman said Muhafiz Squad Chief Inspector Jamshaid Akram had ordered a crackdown early in December, but the robbers had skirted arrest.

He said on Saturday night, two officials of Muhafiz Squad in plainclothes were stopped at a ‘picket’ on Abdali Road. He said the men were beaten and their valuables were taken away.

The spokesman said the officials called the police helpline for help and a team was dispatched to find and arrest the robbers.

He said two of them were arrested from Cantt area while their accomplices managed to escape. Police sealed the area and checked vehicles entering Cantt.

Akram told The Express Tribune that the rest of the gang would be arrested in two days as they had been traced.

He said the men had confessed to 70 robberies.

Separately, police claimed to have arrested 62 criminals, including 41 proclaimed offenders, in various raids in the district.

Police said 13 drug dealers and four people bearing unlicensed weapons were arrested. They said 104 litres liquor, 1.747kg hashish, three pistols, a revolver and four rounds were seized. Police said they had arrested four gamblers and recovered Rs3,100 stake money.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2014.