Trio assault & rob app service auto driver, friend

Pune: A 21-year-old driver of an autorickshaw, attached to a mobility service app company, and his friend were assaulted and robbed of a cellphone and Rs2,000 when they were waiting for the pickup of passenger at Matoshree Society on Nagarpal Road in Kharadi around 2.30am on Sunday.Later that same day, the Chandannagar police arrested three suspects — Kanhaiya Jadhav (22), Sonu Kamble (21) and Lakhan Nikam (20), all criminals on police records — and recovered the robbed cell phone worth Rs12,000 and the cash from their possession. Assistant inspector Sambhaji Golande on Monday said, “Auto driver Rishikesh Jadhav from Thitenagar and his friend Sanjay Dhondale had reached the location of a passenger. The trio arrived, turned the auto on its side and started attacking the two victims with an iron rod and belt. They snatched Jadhav’s cell phone and cash before leaving the spot. The victims sustained injuries to their limbs, faces and backs.” Senior inspector Sunil Jadhav said,”Jadhav and other witnesses described the trio to a beat marshal, who launched a hunt for them. But even before the policemen could lay their hands on them, the suspects and a fourth accomplice attacked Nanasaheb Atare (31) from Vadgaonsheri and robbed Rs1,000 in cash from him on Nagpal Road around 2.55am.” The inspector added, “We have arrested the trio; their accomplice on the run would be arrested soon as well. Two FIRs under Indian Penal Code (IPC) charges have been registered.”