VASCO
In a breakthrough, Verna police have arrested three accused in connection with a highway robbery near Loto Garage in Santrant, Cortalim on January 8.
The accused have been identified as Sachit Naik (55) a businessman from Sancoale, Gokuldas Naik (45) of Borim, and Mandar Prabhu (31) of Shiroda.
The complainant, Vijayan T Thottarayath, a 52-year-old businessman and proprietor of a bar and restaurant, was brutally attacked and robbed while driving towards Margao in his car (GA-06-F-3354).
According to the complaint, two masked men in a white car intercepted his vehicle, blocked his path, and assaulted him with iron pipes, causing serious injuries at around 5.10 am.
The robbers forcibly snatched a gold chain, a mobile handset, and Rs 10,000 in cash from Thottarayath, amounting to a total loss of Rs 2,00,000. The victim suffered injuries to his right leg, wrist, and head.
Acting promptly on the complaint, Verna Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Based on intelligence inputs, Sachit Naik (55), a businessman from Sancoale, was arrested on January 9, while Gokuldas Naik (45) and Mandar Prabhu (31), were arrested on January 10.
The accused have been remanded to police custody. Sachit Naik was initially remanded to three days in custody on January 10, while Gokuldas and Mandar were remanded to two days on January 11. All three were further remanded to three more days of custody on January 13, as the investigation continues.
One of the accused, Mandar Prabhu, has a history of criminal involvement, with cases registered against him at Ponda and Quepem police stations.
