Bengaluru: A mobile phone snatching incident in the heart of Bengaluru took a dramatic turn when one of the accused collapsed and died shortly after fleeing the scene, while his accomplice was arrested by the police.
The incident occurred near 14th Cross in Cubbonpete, close to Majestic, at around 5.30 pm on June 16.
According to the police, advocate Basavaraju M., a resident of Nagashettihalli, was checking the location of an office on his mobile phone while on his way to deliver a file when two men on a scooter allegedly followed him and snatched his phone.
Pedestrian helps foil escape bid
After the phone was snatched, Basavaraju immediately chased the accused and raised an alarm.
A quick-thinking pedestrian intervened by throwing a heavy sack towards the scooter on which the suspects were attempting to flee.
The sack struck the two-wheeler, causing the riders to lose balance and fall onto the road.
During the fall, the stolen mobile phone slipped from the possession of the accused.
Despite the accident, the two suspects abandoned the scooter and attempted to escape on foot.
One accused collapses and dies
Police said the suspects managed to run for around 250 metres before one of them, identified as Junaid (18), suddenly collapsed next to a parked motorcycle on the roadside.
He died on the spot before medical assistance could reach him.
His associate, Arbaz (23), was apprehended and taken into police custody.
According to the police, Junaid’s parents informed investigators that he was a cardiac patient and had previously undergone a procedure in which a stent was placed in one of his coronary arteries.
Authorities are investigating whether his medical condition contributed to his sudden death.
Police register cases
Based on the complaint lodged by advocate Basavaraju, the police have registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to snatching.
Following Junaid’s death, the police also registered a case of unnatural death at the Ulsoor Gate Police Station and initiated further inquiries.
Police said Junaid was a first-time offender with no known criminal history.
However, preliminary investigations revealed that Arbaz is a habitual offender and is allegedly involved in several cases of mobile phone snatching and vehicle theft.
Investigation continues
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and are verifying whether the accused were involved in other similar crimes in Bengaluru.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over street crimes such as mobile phone snatching in busy parts of the city.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant while using mobile phones in public places and to immediately alert the police in case of suspicious activity.