Taekwondo gold medallist held for robbery

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) A 26-year-old national gold medallist in taekwondo has been arrested by Delhi Police for his involvement in 30 cases of snatching and robbery.

Police have also recovered one country-made pistol with one cartridge, two high-end mobile phones and a stolen bike from the possession of the accused.

The accused has been identified as Suraj alias 'Fighter', a resident of Uttam Nagar area.

According to Monika Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West district, on August 5, a complaint was received in which a woman reported that while she was talking on her mobile phone near Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Vikas Puri, two persons on a bike snatched away her phone.

"A case under section 356/379/34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at Vikas Puri police station and investigation was taken up," said Bhardwaj.

During investigation, the police team checked all CCTV footage near the place of the incident. The photographs and CCTV footage led to the arrest of one of the suspects named Rahul.

Police said Rahul disclosed the name of his associate Suraj who is an active 'bad character' in Ranhola police station.

"On August 21, specific inputs were received regarding Suraj following which a trap was laid and he was arrested from Fish Market in Vikaspuri," said Bhardwaj.

During interrogation, the Suraj disclosed about his involvement in numerous other thefts and snatchings of several mobile phones which are being verified. So far he has been found involved in more than 30 criminal cases.

"Suraj told police that he was recently released from Tihar Jail. After coming out of jail, he again indulged in criminal activities and started mobile snatching during odd hours to conceal his identity," said the DCP.