Koraput: In a major breakthrough, Munchingiputtu police on Sunday arrested three persons from Odisha for allegedly robbing Rs 15.62 lakh from a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Bondapalli village in Andhra Pradesh.
The arrested accused have been identified as Santosh Kumar Mahapatra (28), Vikas Kora (25), and Swapnil Durai (19), all residents of Koraput district in Odisha.
According to police, the incident took place on July 31, when the PEO, Katari Machchebabu, had withdrawn Rs 15.62 lakh from the State Bank of India branch at Pedabayalu. While returning home, he was intercepted near Bangarumetta village in Visakhapatnam district by a group of miscreants. The accused reportedly threatened him with a knife, assaulted him, and fled with the cash.
Following the robbery, the victim lodged a complaint at the Munchingiputtu police station. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and sought the assistance of Odisha police, particularly from the Padua and Machkund police stations in Koraput district.
The joint operation led to the arrest of the three accused and the recovery of the entire stolen amount. Police also seized a scooter, three mobile phones, and two knives from their possession.
All three were produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.
