The police announced that it had arrested four men for allegedly impersonating police officers and robbing two people. The four accused — Rohit (22), Pawan (30), Suraj (23) and Deepak (27) – were arrested on July 23 from near Pankha Road said Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West).
On the intervening night of July 10 and 11, the victim Dinesh Kumar said he was looking for a way to go to Anand Vihar Railway station from Pankha Road. As he was waiting, he started a conversation with another individual and discussed his travel plans with him.
At that time, a car arrived and its occupants offered the Kumar and his companion a lift till Anand Vihar railway station. The driver introduced himself as sub-inspector Satbir and his co-passenger as sub-inspector Rajbir — who was handling a wireless set.
Narrating the incident, the police said the "sub-inspectors" flashed a message on the wireless about a driver who was speeding away in a red coloured car. They then alerted the pickets to be alert and keep an eye out for the car.
Meanwhile, the "police officials asked Kumar to take out his belongings for verification. Kumar then handed over his cell phone, cash and ATM card to them and even disclosed his ATM number — convinced that he was speaking with bonafide police officers.
The perpetrators then abandoned Kumar on a lonely road and fled with his belongings. They used Kumar's ATM card and withdrew Rs 80,000. They also used the card in a mall to purchase shoes and apparel.
After investigation, it was found that Rohit and Deepak were cousins, and that these gang members had carried out more than 30-40 robberies.
The accused split the booty between themselves and spent money the money on wine, women, branded clothes and in massage parlours.
Another associate Ashish is still absconding.
The modus operandi of the gang involved them offering lifts to unsuspecting victims in their old Tata Manza — bought for Rs 1 lakh, and flashing messages from their wireless set —purchased from Lajpat Rai market.
