Ex-employee tries to extort money from Kandivali builder, gets arrested
Picture Courtesy- Zee News
On Wednesday, police arrested two youngsters from Santacruz, who wanted to earn a quick buck by trying to extort money from a builder.
The youngsters called the Kandivali-based builder to a busy location with the cash and planned to snatch the bag from him while he was waiting. The only thing they failed to account for, was a police team waiting in anticipation of their move.
22-year-old Harshal Agre was employed with developer Mahesh Tanna in the past. After he got married in December, he asked Tanna for more money. When the builder refused, Agre left the job and started working for a Bandra-based courier company.
But the newly wed was unable to make ends meet with his new salary and decided to make a quick buck by stealing from his ex-employer. He convinced his friend, Sumit Palampula, to join him for a share of the profit. The 19-year-old was pursuing his diploma in electronics.
On May 21, the duo, while pretending to be gangsters, called Tanna and asked him to pay Rs 50 lakh if he wanted his family to stay safe. But, Tanna ignored the call.
Over the next 3 months, the builder continued to receive calls from multiple numbers. Tanna finally relented and approached Kandivali police to file a complaint. He also approached the anti-extortion cell, who asked him to oblige and tell the accused to meet and collect the money.
On Wednesday, the duo called Tanna at Nehru Road in Vile Parle (East) with Rs 25 lakh. As soon as he arrived, Agre and Palampula approached him on a bike and snatched the bag from him. But before they could flee, they were apprehended by the officials.
An FIR was registered at Kandivali police station and the duo was booked for extortion.
