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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Victim's driver masterminds Negombo robbery Crime Sunday by Jayampathy Jayasinghe The robbery that took place in the heart of Negombo town on October 28 gripped the entire town in fear. Soon the news was on everyone's lips, that a gang had invaded Negombo town and robbed cash Rs. 30 lakhs from a van at the Bandaranaike Square. The incident happened around about 12.15 p.m. and the fear compelled a few businessmen to put up shutters on their shops. The shop keepers were apprehensive that the robbers would invade their shops and rob their valuables. In fact Several persons who witnessed the incident were helpless as one of the robbers was armed with a pistol. The people just froze and watched what went on for a few minuets. It was a swift operation that went off without a hitch. A pre-arranged affair with the connivance of the chauffeur. He was an employee of a reputed jewellery shop in Negombo which had a thriving business. The shop needed a large amount of cash every day for their daily business transactions and it becomes necessary for them to bring large amount of cash from a nearby bank. It was a routine affair for the cashier and the chauffeur to bring large sums ranging from Rs. 30 lakhs from a nearby bank. The proprietor of the shop had entrusted this job to his faithful cashier and chauffeur whom he had immense trust. But he couldn't guess what went on in their minds. It never occurred to him that they should provide an armed escort while the cash was being transported from the bank. True enough it was a highly risky business but he never suspected anyone to grab his cash. After all for so many years this practice had continued. The chauffeur meanwhile was plotting to become rich overnight. He thought of a plan. It was a criminal act that had crossed his mind one day. He had a grandiose plan to rob the very cash that he brought from the bank. One day over a cup of tea at a kiosk he whispered this to his trusted friend Kumara who worked at a nearby textile shop. Together they devised a strategy to rob the cash while it was being brought to the jewellery shop. Kumara even suggested that they should enlist the support of Saman, whom he knew at Kataragama. He was an underworld figure who had a wealth of experience in armed robberies. Saman was a much feared character and was allegedly involved in a murder case. Subsequently Kumara travelled all the way to Kataragama to meet Saman. Having met Saman he revealed his plan to him and sought his assistance. Saman gave a patient hearing, pondered for a while and agreed to join him. But he told Kumara that his henchmen Dilkum and Roshan' were needed for the operation. Diklum and Roshan were living at Unawatuna, Galle. They too were underworld characters.After seeking their support Saman fixed the date for staging the robbery on November 28. On the day of the incident Saman, Dilkum, Roshan, Anil, Kumara and Anil met secretly at the Negombo bus stand just hours before the robbery to discuss the modus operandi. They worked out the finer points and dispersed to take strategic points in the town. Saman took position at a place close to the Railway station. Dilkum and Roshan were at the roundabout near the Bandaranaike Square awaiting for the van to arrive past 12.30 p.m. In fact the van' driven by the name of Anil was the main conspirator. He arrived at the round about past 12.30. As the van negotiated the bend, Dilkum and Roshan intercepted the van by jumping in front of it. Anil purposely stopped the van as if to avoid a major accident. In the meantime Dilkum and Roshan brandishing pistols got inside the van and ordered the cashier to hand over the cash to them. They threatened to shoot him if he does not comply with the order. The cashier through fear handed over the bag containing Rs. 30 lakhs to the robbers. Thereafter the robbers ordered driver to take off and they got off the van at Pihillawatte. No sooner the robbery was reported to the Negombo Police, SSP Negombo Premasiri Vithana detailed a special police team consisting of Sub Inspector A. Aluthgedera from the District Crime Investigations Bureau to track the robbers. Under his personal supervision of SSP Vithana, the driver was questioned for long hours into late night. Finally he broke down and confessed to police that he was the mastermind behind the robbery. He gave details of robbery as to how it was planned and those involved in it. This led to a flurry of activity of police detectives. They had to catch them before they busted the money. Several police teams were rushed to Kataragama and Unawatuna to apprehend Saman, Dilkum and Roshan. Police team waited in ambush and finally arrested Saman at the kataragama town. They recovered a portion of cash from Saman's house. Thereafter they proceeded to Unawatuna and arrested Dilkum and Roshan and recovered the balance potion of money buried in the garden. Of the Rs. 30 lakhs robbed Rs. 25 lakhs were finally recovered due to relentless work done by the detectives. Subsequently they learned that the robbers had spent the other money. Police also found the fake pistol used in the robbery. Within a matter of few the five suspects were caught and produced before the Negombo Magistrate who remanded them till investigations are completed. Those who took part in the investigations are S.I. A. Aluthgedera, PS, 14220 Jayaratna, PS, 4544 Ranasinghe, RPS 18723 Wickremasinghe, PC.25965 Ajith, PC 32886 Palitha, PC 9461 Sudath, PC 21757 Fernando and RSI, Abeynike. |
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