4 arrested for posing as cops, robbing people

New Delhi: Four men have been arrested for allegedly posing as police officers and robbing people, police said here today.

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, one Dinesh Kumar was looking for conveyance to reach Anand Vihar Railway Station from Pankha Road.

Kumar got friendly with a person standing there and they talked about the destinations they had to go to.

A car came and its two occupants offered a lift to the duo till Anand Vihar railway station. Kumar, along with the other man, boarded the car.

The driver introduced himself as sub-inspector Satbir and the other occupant as sub-inspector Rajbir who was handling a wireless set.

As part of their act, the “sub-inspectors” flashed a message on the wireless about a driver of a red-coloured car speeding away after being asked to stop for checking, the police said.

Meanwhile, they asked Dinesh to take out his belongings saying they needed to verify his antecedents.

The victim handed over his mobile phone, cash and ATM card to them. The two impostors then asked Dinesh to disclose his ATM PIN. He revealed it since he was convinced they were police personnel.

Later, they abandoned him on a lonely road and fled with his belongings.

They withdrew Rs 80,000 using Dinesh’s ATM card and purchased shoes and apparel from a mall.

They were arrested from near DESU Colony, Pankha Road here on July 23 for committing various robberies.

Rohit and Deepak are cousins. The gang carried out more than 30-40 robberies on an average twice a week, said the DCP.

The accused distributed the booty equally and spent money on wine, women, branded clothes and in massage parlours. One of their associates, Ashish, is still absconding.

They had purchased an old Tata Manza car for Rs one lakh and a wireless set from Lajpat Rai market.

They had fed a recorded message in the wireless set and would play it to appear as real policemen whenever they offered a lift to their victims.

—PTI