Tamil Nadu couple arrested for elaborate truck hijacking scheme involving 2.5 tonnes of tomato cargo

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Tamil Nadu has been apprehended by authorities for orchestrating a truck hijacking operation centered around a lucrative cargo of tomatoes. The incident unfolded in a dramatic fashion, involving a staged accident and a subsequent extortion attempt that ultimately resulted in violence. The couple, identified as Bhaskar (28) and his wife Sindhuja (26), was found to be part of a larger gang specializing in highway robberies.

Their target was a farmer named Mallesh from Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, who was transporting a substantial load of 2.5 tonnes of tomatoes to Kolar. The scheme unfolded on July 8 at Chikkajala, Bengaluru, where the gang intercepted Mallesh's truck. Claiming that the farmer's vehicle had collided with their car, they demanded compensation.

However, when Mallesh rightfully declined their demands, they resorted to violence, assaulting him and forcibly removing him from the truck. With the farmer out of the way, the criminals made off with the truck, laden with tomatoes valued at an astonishing 2.5 lakhs. It's worth noting that tomato prices had recently skyrocketed, reaching an astonishing Rs 100 per kilogram in markets nationwide.

The incident came to light when Mallesh filed a complaint with the RMC Yard police, prompting them to spring into action. Employing extensive investigative efforts, the authorities meticulously traced the vehicle's movements, eventually homing in on the hijackers. On a breakthrough Saturday, Bhaskar and Sindhuja were successfully apprehended.