Cash robbed from post office, two held

Cash robbed from post office, two held

NEW DELHI: Thieves seem to be getting more innovative about their targets. A six-member gang entered a post office near Anand Vihar, overpowered the security guard at gunpoint, broke into the postal storage room and fled with money orders and cheques. Though the exact amount looted is yet to be accounted for, the police suspect over Rs 10 lakh collected from post offices across east Delhi was taken.

On Monday, two of the robbers were arrested after two policemen on patrol found them fighting amongst themselves over the share of the booty. The policemen have been recommended for a bravery award by commissioner Amulya Patnaik.

The incident occurred around 11.30pm on Sunday when post office security guards, Raj Kumar and Munna, were taking a rest. Raj Kumar said the thieves probably scaled the unfenced section of the boundary wall and entered the premises. They held the guards at gunpoint and forced them to open the store room. "Two of them were constantly talking to someone over the phone and asking for the location of the cash," Munna said.

Officials said that the post office remains open as the building also houses the head post office of the trans-Yamuna region. Post and cash from 32 post offices from across east Delhi are deposited there. The cash is usually stored in two lockers in a room at the back of the building. "The room usually remains shut unless the delivery vehicles arrive. The keys are kept with the guards," said a post office official.

Raj Kumar said the men first emptied 17 postbags and took out some of the packets. They then tried to break open a large locker, but its handle ripped off. Later, they managed to break open a smaller locker and took the cash and cheques in it. The men then started arguing among themselves. They finally threatened the two guards to keep quiet and fled.

The thieves boarded an autorickshaw and went towards Anand Vihar ISBT. "When they got off the auto and were getting on motorbikes, constables Narender and Kuldeep posted at Anand Vihar police post found them arguing among themselves," said DCP (Shahdara) Nupur Prasad.

"Finding their actions suspicious, the cops confronted them. While the others fled, the constables managed to nab two of them, identified as Deepak and Wasim. A part of the robbed cash bearing GPO markings was recovered from them. They were carrying a country-made pistol and two live rounds," said Prasad.

By the time, the post office authorities had called the police. Upon being questioned, Deepak and Wasim admitted to having broken into the post office with their associates after getting a tip-off about the cash.

Police suspect a former or a serving employee of the post office to be involved in the heist. "The call details of the two men are being scanned to identify whom they were calling," said a police officer. A case of armed robbery has been registered against the gang.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com