Balasore: In a bizarre and brazen incident, three youths were arrested in Odisha’s Balasore district after allegedly intercepting and attempting to extort money from a police officer late Thursday night — unaware that their target was a Sub-Inspector in plain clothes.
The incident took place near Barapada Chhak under Khaira police limits.
According to sources, Sub-Inspector (SI) Sanjeeb Khuntia of Khaira police station was conducting late-night patrolling in civilian attire when he was stopped by the trio on a Pulsar motorcycle. The youths demanded money from him, apparently mistaking him for a civilian.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, SI Khuntia quickly alerted Khaira IIC Suchandra Mahalik, who rushed to the spot with a team. The police apprehended the three accused and seized a country-made pistol, ₹700 in cash, a motorcycle, and several sharp weapons from their possession.
The accused were produced in court on Friday. Police sources confirmed that all three have a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against them in Soro, Khaira, and Bhubaneswar. They are suspected to be involved in a string of snatching and robbery incidents, primarily targeting unsuspecting pedestrians and commuters on the roads.
Police are continuing their investigation to trace their involvement in other cases across the region and are examining whether they are part of a larger criminal network operating in north Odisha.
