The suspected mastermind of robbery gang operating in Barrackpore and Penal was killed in a shootout with police yesterday and his accomplice taken into custody.
The suspect, believed to be a 34-year-old man from Teelucksingh Trace, Barrackpore, was fished out a river along Sukhan Trace, Barrackpore near his home.
Police said he and his accomplice were part of a group responsible for hijacking motorists and using the stolen vehicles to commit robberies and other crimes.
Police said that on 12.05 am, the suspects robbed a home in Barrackpore and drove off with the family’s black Royal Saloon.
The suspects then used the car to carry out other robberies in Penal and Barrackpore yesterday.
But with an All-Points Bulletin issued for the car, two South Western Division officers on patrol spotted the car along Manohar Trace, Rochard Road, Barrackpore and chased the suspects.
As backup arrived, the suspects eventually crashed on the roadside. One of the suspects was held while the other escaped and robbed a woman of her Nissan Almera at gunpoint.
PC Ali and PC Tambie of the Barrackpore CID gave chase and spotted the car turning from Manohar Trace into Sukhan Trace. In a bid to evade the officers, the suspect sped off and crashed.
The deceased suspect, who wore a mask over his face, exited the car and ran into a swampy area. As the officers drew close, the man opened fire. However, the officers returned fire and the suspect fell into a river.
A .38 revolver and a quantity of ammunition were recovered from the river. The officers, including ACP Dookie, ASP Ali, recovered a gun, ski-masks and gloves from one of the stolen vehicles.