One Arrested in Thriprayar Robbery Case

Thrissur: One person has been arrested in connection with the robbery of Rs 16 lakh from a four-member group of car travellers near Thriprayar. The arrested man has been identified as Sharma, a native of Kaipamangalam. Police said an eight-member gang was behind the robbery and that the other accused have been identified. The gang, of which Sharma was a part, had lured the victims — natives of Pattambi — to Thriprayar by promising to convert Indian currency into US dollars through online trading.

The robbery took place around 8.45 pm on Friday near the Kulangara Temple at Painnur Amalath, close to the eastern entrance of Thriprayar. The victims were four people from Palakkad, led by Pattambi Congress panchayat member Muhammed Rafi, who had come to convert Rs 16 lakh into dollars — reportedly as part of a hawala transaction. The gang, who arrived in an Innova car, sprayed chilli powder at the victims before smashing the car's window and robbing them of the cash at knifepoint. By the time local residents rushed to the spot after hearing the sound of the window being shattered, the attackers had already fled.

The car used by the accused was found abandoned the following day near the Pookkottur temple, within the jurisdiction of Valappad police station. A forensic examination of the vehicle was subsequently carried out and evidence collected. Investigations revealed that the car was a rented vehicle, owned by a resident of Azhikode.

Anthikad police have recorded statements from all four victims of the attack. In their preliminary statement to police, the victims said they had been summoned to the spot on the pretext of a vehicle sale. Police are continuing a detailed investigation into the case.