NEW DELHI: When
ice-cream vendor
Shanu Khan had his
phone snatched
, he called his number and struck a deal with the robbers, who agreed to return the phone for Rs 10,000. They then sent Khan on a four-hour-long wild goose chase. But, eventually, Khan’s efforts paid off and the
snatchers
were caught when they arrived to take the money and return the mobile phone.
The
dramatic events
took place in Mayur Vihar on Friday. The accused were identified as Krishan Bhandari (26), a history sheeter with nine cases in Noida and east Delhi, and Dhirender (26). Both live in east Delhi.
Snatchers initially called victim to many places, but did not turn up
In his complaint to police, Khan said he was headed towards Mayur Vihar Phase 3 market around 9am. “He had the phone in his hand when the accused snatched it,” said an officer. Khan tried to get hold of the snatchers, but one of them threatened him with a knife and they both fled.
He called his number from a passerby’s phone. Bhandari, who took the call, asked for money in return for the phone. The victim asked a relative to arrange for the money.
“The victim used phones of passersby to stay in contact with the accused. The robbers called him to various places to meet, but they didn’t turn up as we suspect they wanted to check if the victim had gone to the cops,” police said.
The deal was finally set, and Khan was asked to come near a temple in Mayur Vihar Phase 3. “At the spot, there was an argument between the accused and the victim. The accused started leaving when Khan started shouting,” police said.
Deputy commissioner of police (East) Apoorva Gupta said cops had been deployed in the area in preparation for Maha Shivratri. They heard the screams and saw the accused fleeing. After a brief chase, they caught the robbers and recovered the phone.