Negombo Police nabbed two members of a criminal gang suspected to have carried out a series of robberies travelling on motorcycles wearing full face helmets in the Gampaha district. An investigative team led by Negombo HQI, CI Samanthilaka Welivita apprehended a member of the gang in Kurana, Negombo on Friday.
The Police had long been on the hunt for the 28-year-old suspect. ¨We are currently holding him and a another person for further questioning,¨ Welivita said adding that the Police hope to elicit further information regarding other members of the gang.
According to CI Welivita, the suspects had been involved in a series of thefts in the Negombo, Ja Ela, Wennappuwa, Chilaw and Ragama areas. ¨They would snatch bags and other valuables from pedestrians, females on scooters and people travelling in trishaws,¨ he said.
Welivita also said that a spate of such incidents were reported in the recent past, prompting the Police to be vigilant and make these arrests. According to him, the suspects had earned over Rs. 40,000 a day through these thefts.
Seven complaints had been lodged against the gang at the Ragama Police while another eight had been lodged with the Negombo Police. CI Welivita said he believes a large number of robberies committed by them have gone unreported.
The Police called on members of the public who may have been robbed by the gang but had not lodged a complaint to come forward to assist in the investigations. Members of the public can provide the information by calling the Negombo Police HQI on 031 2224289.
Negombo Police are carrying out further investigationss.