Sambalpur: Car Robbery at Gunpoint on Burla Highway; Vehicle Recovered with GPS Assistance, 4 Arrested

Highway Robbery Near Hirakud Railway Station

Sambalpur: A gang of highway robbers looted a Maruti Ertiga car at gunpoint near Hirakud Railway Station on National Highway-53 late last night. The miscreants threatened the driver with deadly weapons and forcefully took control of the vehicle. However, thanks to the GPS tracker installed in the car, police managed to recover it quickly and arrest four accused involved in the crime.

GPS Helps Track Down Car and Criminals

According to police, officers traced the GPS signal and successfully recovered the white Ertiga (CG04Q C9357) from the Singharighat area. In the process, they arrested four individuals:

• Amit Kumar Sahu (28) of Pathanpada, Sambalpur
• Ravi Debnath (26) of Bengalipada
• Nirmod Dhanaguda (26) of Sahupada
• Sachin Banchhor (22) of Malipada

Police also seized a black Hero HF Deluxe motorcycle (OD15W2113), a knife, and four mobile phones from their possession.

How the Robbery Happened

Reportedly, a group of officials from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, had come to Burla’s MCL office in the Ertiga car. They had planned to attend a meeting the next day and were staying at a hotel in Katapali area of Burla. They sent the car driver to Hirakud Railway Station to collect some items.

While the driver waited near the station, the accused approached, showed a weapon, forced him into the car, and drove off. A few kilometers later, they threw the driver out of the vehicle and escaped with the car.

Driver Informs Police and Investigation Begins

Despite being stranded, the driver managed to walk to a nearby area and borrow a phone to alert the police. Burla police quickly reached the location, recorded the driver’s statement, and launched an investigation.

Thanks to the GPS system installed in the car, police tracked the vehicle’s location to Singharighat. There, they seized the car and arrested the accused.

Accused Already Involved in Multiple Crimes

Police investigations revealed that all four arrested individuals are habitual offenders with multiple criminal cases registered against them in different police stations across Sambalpur district.

Further investigation is underway to uncover more details about the gang and their possible involvement in other crimes.