Nongpoh, Sept 12: A gang of highway robbers behind a series of heists targetting goods laden lorries on the highway to Shillong have been busted by Ri Bhoi Police leading to the arrest of four criminals during the early hours of September 11.
The arrests came about after the gang waylaid a fish laden mahindra pick up truck at Shangbangla village on the national highway NH-06 late Tuesday night.
The gang stopped the vehicle, attacked the driver and handyman and looted cash and mobile phones from the victims.
Ri Bhoi police were alerted of the incident by the victims and a quick search was launched leading to the arrest of one gang member. Another robber made a break for freedom but was given chase and apprehended.
The arrested duo soon spilled the beans on the group’s involvement in a string of highway hold-ups leading to the arrest of the remaining two members of the gang.
The four arrested robbers have been identified as Ricky Tangsang (26) of Sajer vilage in Nongpoh, Mustafa Lyngdoh (23) of Umlyngkdait, Shem Warjri of Umsning Proper A and Kyrshanbor Marwein (22) of Mawroh, Nongpoh.
Police also seized two vehicles used by the robbers, including one maruti Alto bearing registration number AS 01 FN 4202 and one white Maruti Suzuki Baleno with no registration number.