Auto-borne muggers attack, rob two in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Four autorickshaw-borne men attacked a restaurant employee with an iron rod and robbed him of his phone. A cab driver passing by rushed to the victim's help, but he was also robbed of his mobile phone and cash on Chikka Banaswadi Main Road on the night of April 12.

The victims are Chengappa, 57, a resident of Jai Jivan Nagar in Chikka Banasawadi and restaurant employee; and Yogesh, 29, cabbie and resident of Kamakshipalya.

Chengappa, in his complaint to Banaswadi police, said he was walking back home after work and was about 60 metres away from his house when an autorickshaw approached from around 11pm. A man got out of the vehicle and tried to rob his mobile phone. Chengappa pushed the mugger aside. Another miscreant carrying an iron rod alighted from the auto and hit Chengappa on the head.

While he was profusely bleeding, the duo robbed his mobile phone. Yogesh, who was passing by, rushed to Chengappa's aid. Two more men got out of the auto. The four snatched Yogesh's mobile phone at knifepoint. They also stole Rs 4,000 in cash and his car key before escaping from the scene.

Chengappa was taken to hospital by his family and Yogesh borrowed a phone from a commuter to report the incident to the police.

A senior police officer said the miscreants have covered their vehicle registration number with plaster. CCTV cameras at the spot have been verified. According to the victims, the attackers were in their mid-20s. A case has been registered under BNS Sections 304 (snatching) and 309 (robbery).