A couple from Tamil Nadu was arrested in Karnataka on Saturday for allegedly hijacking a truck carrying 2.5 tonnes of tomatoes after faking an accident in an attempt to extort money.
According to a report by PTI, the couple was part of a gang of highway robbers that intercepted the truck in Chikkajala on July 8 and demanded compensation after claiming that the vehicle had bumped into their car, said police.
The truck belonged to Mailesh from Chitradurga district's Hiriyur area, who refused to pay them after the fake accident. After this, the gang assaulted and threw him out of the truck before driving away with the tomatoes. The truck carried 2.5 tonnes of tomatoes worth over Rs 2.8 lakhs.
The couple, identified as the 28-year-old Bhaskar and his wife Sindhuja, 26, were arrested after the RMC Yard Police tracked the vehicle based on Mailesh's complaint. Three remaining accused are on the run, the police informed.
The shipment of tomatoes were to be delivered to Kolar when the hijacking occurred.
It is worth mentioning that the retail prices have shot up to Rs 200-250 per kilogram in several parts of the country as the supply chain got disrupted due to monsoon rains and other issues. The Centre made several efforts to provide relief to consumers.
