Police on Monday claimed to have arrested a young cricketer in connection with a robbery couple of days back.
The accused, Nitin Mehra, a resident of Kailash Nagar in Talab-Tillo here, was arrested from Pathankot in Punjab on Sunday night, where he was hiding to evade the arrest, said police.
On May 10, the accused entered the house of Prof Sunil Uppal at Garden Avenue area in Talab-Tillo and allegedly robbed him at the gun-point, said police, adding though he faced stiff resistance from family members, he managed to overpower them.
CCTV cameras installed at the house captured Mehras' image, who left behind dummy gun, handkerchief, jacket and rubber slippers, said police.
Talking to reporters on Monday, Jammu senior superintendent of police (SSP) Atul Goel said: "The video footage, other clues and feedback from eyewitnesses helped police in identifying the accused, who was arrested late on Sunday night from Pathankot. We have seized from his possession cash and ornaments, including gold earnings and bracelet, stolen from Uppal's house."
"On questioning, the accused confessed to have committed robbery at Uppal's house and three other houses in the last six months. He used to hide his face with handkerchief and used Bajaj Chetak scooter during the crime. He is a cricketer and has represented J&K in Under 19- and Under 22-level tournaments. He was also eying a Ranji Trophy berth this time,"the SSP added.
Divulging information about other robberies, the SSP said: "On January 16, the accused entered the house of a Sunil Mahajan of Canal Road here and robbed his wife at the gun-point and fled with cash and jewellery. In another incident on February 7, he entered the house of eminent lawyer SS Leher and robbed his wife of jewellery and `15,000. In third incident on April 7, he entered Suivdha Nursing Home in Garden Avenue and robbed the wife of Dr Yudhishter."
{{/usCountry}}Divulging information about other robberies, the SSP said: "On January 16, the accused entered the house of a Sunil Mahajan of Canal Road here and robbed his wife at the gun-point and fled with cash and jewellery. In another incident on February 7, he entered the house of eminent lawyer SS Leher and robbed his wife of jewellery and `15,000. In third incident on April 7, he entered Suivdha Nursing Home in Garden Avenue and robbed the wife of Dr Yudhishter."
{{/usCountry}}After the second robbery in couple of months, there was a great resentment among residents of Garden Avenue, who blocked the main road for couple of hours on Sunday.
The protest was called off only when senior police officers assured the residents of the accused arrest at the earliest.