Big time robbers in police custody

Two men allegedly in toe with major robber gangs were arrested today, police said.

They said the gangs were wanted in connection with some 22 robberies in Colombo and the suburbs where shops, showrooms and supermarkets had been robbed of goods worth about Rs.5 million. Police alleged they were involved in carrying out robberies at Kohuwala, Welikada, Athurugiriya, Thalangama, Mirihana, Kadawatha and Maharagama. One of the men was arrested while attempting to break into a showroom displaying electronic items in Kohuwala.

Police said the other man was arrested at Kaduwela and at the time of his arrest he had 40 grammes of heroin and three mobile phones in his car.

They said one of them had even contested the local council elections last year.

Meanwhile another seven-member robber gang was arrested in Hambanthota in connection with a 1.9 million-rupee robbery in Padukka.

Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said among the suspects was a man alleged to have fled after shooting at the police in Beruwala last year.

They were arrested by the Mirihana Special Operations Unit led by Chief Inspector Janaka Kumara. They also found a 9mm pistol, a lorry with a forged number plate, a saw used to cut iron grills, a large number of mobile phones and an oxygen cylinder. (Supun Dias)