Team Goemkarponn
VERNA: In a major breakthrough, Verna Police have apprehended three accused in connection with a brazen highway robbery that occurred near Loto Garage, Santrant, Cortalim on January 8, 2025. The accused have been identified as Sachit Naik (55) a businessman from Sancoale , Gokuldas Naik (45), and Mandar Prabhu (31), all residents of Goa.
The complainant, Vijayan T. Thottarayath, a 52-year-old businessman and proprietor of Jim Cam Souparnika Bar and Restaurant, was brutally attacked and robbed while driving towards Margao in his ECO car (GA-06-F-3354). According to the complaint, at around 5:10 AM, two masked men in a white Innova car intercepted his vehicle, blocked his path, and assaulted him with iron pipes, causing serious injuries.
The robbers forcibly snatched a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy F0 mobile handset, and ₹10,000 in cash from Mr. Thottarayath, amounting to a total loss of ₹2,00,000. The victim suffered injuries to his right leg, wrist, and head.
Acting promptly on the complaint, Verna Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Based on intelligence inputs, the three accused were arrested on January 9 and 10.
Sachit Naik (55), a businessman from Sancoale, was arrested on January 9 at 10:22 PM.
Gokuldas Naik (45), from Borim, Ponda, and Mandar Prabhu (31), from Shiroda, were arrested on January 10 at 4:19 PM.
The accused have been remanded to police custody. Sachit Naik was initially remanded to three days in custody on January 10, while Gokuldas and Mandar were remanded to two days on January 11. All three were further remanded to three more days of custody on January 13, as the investigation continues.
One of the accused, Mandar Prabhu, has a history of criminal involvement, with cases registered against him at Ponda and Quepem police stations.