Mugging on rise in city

Mugging on rise in city
By: Imran Gowhar Date: 2009-02-16


Bangalore:
Heavy security on Valentine's Day did little to deter muggers in BTM Layout, resulting in two men being robbed at knife point.

Deepak Shankar and his friend Rahul were returning home after dinner when three men armed with knives intercepted them near Udupi Garden in BTM Layout on Saturday. They robbed them of their mobile phones, camera, gold chains, bracelet and rings and Rs 1,000 in cash.

Police say that four to five mugging incidents are reported in and around Mico Layout every week. Professionals returning home late from work are the usual targets.

But it's not the cops in Mico Layout alone who are troubled by muggers. In a daring incident, two muggers robbed a young man in broad daylight at Shivajinagar and escaped despite a policeman coming to his rescue.

Khadar Pasha(19) of Goripalya was waiting at Shivajinagar bus stand when two armed men robbed him of his mobile phone and Rs 400. When police constable Manjunath came to Khadar's help, the duo threatened him with a chopper. They escaped with the booty as hundreds watched on as mute spectators.