Robbers looted cash, phones by setting tree barricade in Joypurhat

A series of robbery were reported at Akkelpur upazila in Joypurhat district on Saturday, by setting a tree barricade by the robbers.

The incident occurred around 11:30 PM at Kadoa Bottali area of Akkelpur-Tilokpur road in the district.

According to witnesses, a group of rice-laden trucks had left for their destination to a mill. One truck had left an hour earlier, and when second truck arrived at the scene, it found the first truck overturned, with the driver and assistant with injured. They immediately informed the mill's management, and a team arrived at 1 AM to offload the rice.

The victim driver, Abdul Hannan said that while driving, he suddenly saw a tree blockade on the road. In an attempt to pass the barricade, he lost control over the vehicle, causing it to overturn. The robbers dragged them out of the truck and assaulted them. They looted 1,500 taka and a gold chain. The robbers then proceeded to stop the two other vehicles and stole Tk 1.5 lakh and 15 mobile phones from passengers. There were about 12 members in the robber gang.

Before the police arrived at the scene, the accused had fled the scene. 

Locals pointed out that such incidents of robbery and snatching are being reported frequently on the Akkelpur-Tilokpur road, particularly at night. 

Akkelpur Police Station officer-in-charge Masud Rana confirmed the incident and said that an operation has been launched to apprehend the accued.