News
Police ‘sting’ operation rounds up gang involved in 15m cash and jewellery heist
A six-member gang including an Army deserter, that broke into a businessman’s home in Matale last week and got away with cash and jewellery worth about Rs. 15 million, was arrested this week, police said yesterday. They said the suspects from Minuwangoda, Veyangoda, Gampaha and Sigiriya were picked up in a sting operation carried out by a special unit of the Matale Police. A van, a three-wheeler, two motorcycles, a set of handcuffs, one loaded ammo magazine and jewellery worth Rs 800,000 were also recovered from the suspects, police said.
The vehicles
Investigations revealed that the gang was led by an ex-soldier known as ‘Army Jinna’. According to police, the gang members were taken from different safe houses, following information provided by the general public. The gang had raided the businessman’s home shortly before midnight on Thursday last week.
They entered the premises posing off as police officers from the Walana Anti-Crime Squad, claiming they had a warrant to search the place for an unlicensed handgun. On entering the premises, they had tied up the businessman and his family before leaving the area with the loot.
Ongoing investigations are being conducted by Inspector S.R. Rajapakse, under the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajeewa Medawatha, to ascertain if the gang had been involved in previous crimes.
Other items that were recovered
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus