Cops reach in time, save robbers from mob fury

Had the police patrol team not reached in time, locals would have lynched the two robbers who allegedly tried to rob the owner of a wine shop in Dahisar (E) on Saturday.

Had the police patrol team not reached in time, locals would have lynched the two robbers who allegedly tried to rob the owner of a wine shop in Dahisar (E) on Saturday.

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The duo who have served time in jail for murder — Anthony Gaydem (56) and Albert Fernandes (40) — barged into Nagar Wine shop on CS Road armed with country-made pistols and allegedly robbed the cashier of Rs 4,600.

“One of them fired at the false ceiling of the shop to threaten the shopkeeper, Saiprasad Chaute (35),” said Senior Inspector Prashuram Kakad of Dahisar police station.

Chaute gave them the cash, but just as the duo was stepping out of the shop, he raised an alarm, which caught the attention of passersby.

As the two were getting ready to run, about 10 to 15 people chased them and managed to nab Gaydem.

“The enraged locals managed to pinned them down and started raining blows and kicks on them.”

Around the same time, a police patrol team which was passing by noticed the commotion and interevened. “Had it not been for the patrol team, Gaydem would probably have been lynched,” said Kakad.

The police said the two accused are Virar residents and have cases of robbery registered against them.

“We have recovered a pistol and a live round from Gaydem. The crowd caught the other robber who had the stolen money,” said Kakad.

A case of robbery has been registered against the duo under the Indian Penal Code and they have also been charged under the Arms Act.