Berhampur: Two most wanted criminals involved in many crimes were arrested after they were injured in an encounter with the police at Sanaghati Square in Ganjam district Wednesday.
They have been identified as Sushant Pradhan and Rajesh Reddy of Visakhapatnam. Police seized Rs 2.25 lakh, a car and two pistols from them.
The two were shot on their legs and have been admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.
Police said the duo was involved in robbing Rs 25 lakh from three toll gate employees in Khallikote while the latter were on way to deposit the money in a bank June 2.
Earlier, six persons were arrested in this connection. With Wednesday’s arrest the total number of arrests made in the case has reached eight.
Chhatrapur SP Brijesh Kumar Roy said at a press conference that around Rs 15 lakh of the stolen money were recovered from them.
Receiving a tip-off, police intercepted the two at around 3:30 am while they were on way to Khallikote for a robbery. Sensing the arrival of the police team, the two who were on a bike, opened fire and tried to escape.
The police returned fire and shot the two on their legs and arrested them. Khallikote police station IIC and two other cops were also injured in the exchange of fire, it was learnt.
The two were involved in several cases in different police station areas. Police have started investigations to ascertain their possible involvement in other criminal cases.
Five bike-borne criminals had intercepted three employees of Gorapalli toll plaza near Haridamula Square and had robbed Rs 25 lakh from them.
PNN