Police arrest three after 30 km car chase in Bantwal

Bantwal: The police nabbed three persons in true cinematic style after firing at their car which sped across despite the cops signaling it to stop at Manihalla near Bantwal late night on Thursday.

The three arrested were attempting a highway robbery and cow thefts and have criminal backgrounds. The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Muksin, 23, a resident of Surathkal, Mohammed Irshad, 29, from Kuppepadavu and Saddam from Maripalla.

Incident synopsis: The police who were on patrol duty near the Belthangady check post signalled a red coloured Swift to stop. But, giving no heed to the direction, the  the occupants of the car  sped across by climbing a divider. The police immediately tipped off the Punjalakatte police.  Based on the tip-off received from Belthangady, about 4-5 armed men travelling in a red car, a vehicle of a similar description was stopped near Guruvayanakere, but it sped away towards BC Road. Police informed their counterparts in the jurisdiction the vehicle sped towards.

Police personnel from Bantwal Town and Rural police stations set up a check post at Manihalla. “The vehicle again tried to speed away on reaching the check post, but was stopped by the police. The occupants tried to assault the police personnel with weapons at the checkpost,” informed Superintendent of police Ravikanthegowda.

Probationary IPS officer Akshay. M, rural SI Chandrashekhar and N. Prasanna signalled the car to stop at Manihalla. However, the miscreants tried to mow down the cops with their car compelling the cops to open fire and stop the vehicle. The car then got stuck in a deep drain near Navoor and two among the five accused managed to escape from the spot.

Police recovered two long knives, an iron rod, chilli powder, monkey caps and other weapons from the vehicle.

Among the arrested, 14 cases have been registered against Muksin, and Saddam has been an accused in murder and attempt to murder cases, informed the police.

The arrested have been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 307, 353, 399 and 402, and the case has been registered at Bantwal Town police station. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the two accused who escaped during the skirmish.