A mobile phone snatching incident in a busy part of the city took a dramatic turn when one of the suspects collapsed and died while attempting to escape after the crime.
The incident occurred around 5.30 pm on June 16 at 14th Cross in Cubbonpete, near Majestic. Advocate Basavaraju M, a resident of Nagashettihalli, was using his mobile phone to locate an office where he was scheduled to deliver a file when two men on a scooter allegedly targeted him.
According to police, the duo snatched Basavaraju’s phone and sped away. Determined to recover his device, the advocate chased the suspects on foot while raising an alarm to alert passers-by.
Pedestrian helps stop fleeing suspects
The chase took an unexpected turn when a pedestrian reportedly threw a heavy sack towards the scooter. The sack struck the vehicle, causing both riders to lose balance and crash onto the road.
During the fall, the stolen mobile phone slipped from the suspects’ possession. The two men abandoned the scooter and continued their escape on foot, running nearly 250 metres.
One accused collapses and dies
While fleeing, one of the accused, identified as Junaid, 18, suddenly collapsed beside a parked motorcycle and died on the spot. His associate, Arbaz, 23, was apprehended and taken into police custody.
Junaid’s parents later informed investigators that he had a history of cardiac illness and had previously undergone a procedure involving the placement of a stent in a coronary artery.
Police register cases
Based on Basavaraju’s complaint, police registered a case under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to snatching. Following Junaid’s death, an unnatural death case was also registered at Ulsoor Gate Police Station.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Junaid was allegedly a first-time offender, while Arbaz is suspected to be a habitual mobile phone snatcher and vehicle lifter. Police have launched further investigations into the case.