Armed robbery thwarted; two nabbed with hand grenades

Two suspects who are believed to be members of a criminal gang were arrested by police in Girandurukotte yesterday (17) with three live hand grenades. 

Police had received a tip-off last afternoon that two men on a motorbike were acting suspiciously near the Agalaoya Bridge in Girandurukotte. Police who arrived at the location had searched the two suspects. Three live hand grenades, two manna knives, one plaster roll, two black facemasks and a toy pistol were among the items found inside two traveling bags the suspects were carrying.

The two suspects, aged 31 and 29 years, are residents of Ampara and Mahaoya.

Police said investigations conducted so far have uncovered that the suspects are part of a criminal gang and had come to the area with the aim of robbing a vehicle that was taking cash to a privately run farm in the area. 

The suspects are due to be produced before the Mahiyanganaya Magistrate's Court today. Further investigations are being conducted by the Girandurukotte Police.  

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