dna Research & ArchivesPolice on Saturday claimed to have got some concrete leads in connection with Friday’s incident of Rs 2 crore loot from a security van in suburban Vile Parle. Police, who are on the look out for the robbers, stated that the security agency, which was assigned to stock up the cash in ATM centres in suburbs was not a registered entity and the prime suspect in the case has a criminal background.
“We have got some concrete leads in the robbery case. Four persons have been questioned. We strongly believe that one of them has links with the case,” a crime branch officer said.
A van loaded with Rs 2 crore cash was robbed in suburban Vile Parle yesterday by four persons, including Sabre Alam, employed with the security firm. Alam is the prime suspect in the case.
“The security firm is not registered and the prime suspect has a criminal background. There were no CCTVs inside the van too. We are going to charge the owner/operator of the agency as co-accused,” said Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria.
The driver of the vehicle, who is presently in a hospital and narrated the sequence of events of the robbery, is also under scanner and police feel his questioning would throw more light on the incident, said another officer. The incident took place on Western Express Highway.
Various police teams fanned out across Mumbai and outside the city to track down the robbers, while Alam’s family could not be found in Sakinaka residence in suburban Andheri. “Once discharged from the hospital, we will question the driver thoroughly for concrete leads,” the officer on condition of anonymity.
Police said the van was loaded with cash of nearly Rs 2 crore by the security company at Lower Parel area yesterday. The vehicle with four employees, including Alam left the place to stock up the ATM centres of a private bank in suburbs.
Alam, who was designated as a guard, asked his three colleagues to stop the vehicle at Worli under the pretext of some work and later brought tea for his colleagues. The tea was later found to have been spiked with sedatives, police said.
As the van reached Parle, two guards fell unconscious while the driver felt drowsy. At that time, a car waylaid the van and three persons came out of the vehicle. The three accused, with help of Alam, opened the security locker and fled with the cash after assaulting the driver.
The driver of the vehicle and his two other colleagues are in a hospital for treatment.
