Seven members of armed robber gang caught in Vavuniya

Seven members of an armed robber gang that allegedly terrorized residents of Vavuniya have been taken into custody. Several firearms allegedly used by the suspects as well as gold jewelry and cash they had robbed from victims have also been recovered. 

The suspects had been arrested from Periyalkulam in Veppamkulam. Officers from the Vavuniya Crime Investigation Division had earlier arrested one suspected armed robber from Punthottam in Vavuniya on September 2. Under interrogation, the suspect had revealed the hideout of other members of the gang and police had been able to arrest the six other suspects by raiding the location.

Among the items recovered from the suspects are two firearms, two live handgrenades, 28 gold pounds, Rs.140,000 in cash, two motorbikes, two mobile phones, electrical items and tools used to break into houses. 

The suspects, residents of Punthottam and Veppamkulam in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi, were due to be produced before the Vavuniya Magistrate's Court. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka 

   

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