Brave Auto driver nabs armed snatcher

New Delhi: (India) The driver of an autorickshaw was able to nab a snatcher despite being threatened with a country pistol. Police said the incident was reported from near the Sarai Rohilla flyover in north Delhi. Two bike-borne associates of the accused, however, managed to flee before police could nab them.
According to police, the incident took place on Thursday evening. ‘‘Three snatchers on two bikes first looted a gold chain from one Geeta Verma, then proceeded to loot a man driving a Swift car of Rs 5,000 and other valuables. They were escaping from the spot when they were accosted by the auto driver, Arvinder Singh, who nabbed one of the accused,” said police.

‘‘I was at the red light when I heard a commotion. People were shouting that snatchers were escaping. When I saw them, I grabbed one of them. When he tried to reach into his pocket, I caught hold of his hand. Only later did I understand that there was a gun in there. The country pistol was later recovered by the police,’’ said Singh
Singh said he had alerted a nearby police booth about the incident but that the traffic cops did not react. ‘‘I’d hoped to nab the other two as well but the cops didn’t help me,’’ said Singh.

In a separate incident at Sarai Rohilla, Ram Singh, a resident of Vasant Nagar near Najafgarh, was shot at by three assailants. Police said the victim was wanted in an attempt-to-murder case and that the victim Gopal had called him to Tis Hazari court for an out-of-court settlement. ‘‘When the ‘deal’ was done, Gopal came out and his associates offered Ram a ride back. They took him to Sarai Rohilla and allegedly shot him in the leg. However, Ram’s version has loopholes in it. Investigations are on,’’ said a senior police officer.