Student gives snatchers a chase, gets one arrested

Presence of mind saved 20-year-old Ranjot Singh, a resident of Sector 27, from the clutches of four snatchers near Panjab University on Friday.

Presence of mind saved 20-year-old Ranjot Singh, a resident of Sector 27, from the clutches of four snatchers near Panjab University on Friday. After the youths snatched his wallet, he chased the four and informed the police of their addresses. One of the youths, Amit, a student of nursing, has been arrested.

Ranjot, who is pursuing his studies in Adelaide, Australia, was in Chandigarh on a vacation. He was on his way to PU from Sector 25 in his Swift car when the youths signalled him to stop. “I thought they might need help. They requested me for Rs 100 to fill petrol in their bikes. When I got out of my car, two of them held my hands and another snatched away my car keys. They asked me to hand over my wallet to them or they would take my car away,” said Ranjot.

As soon as he took out his purse, one of them grabbed it and tried to run away. In the minor scuffle that followed, Ranjot managed to get hold of his keys.

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“They all got on their bikes and fled. I decided to follow them and noted down the registration numbers of their bikes. Unaware of being chased, the snatchers entered and parked in the PGI staff colony. I immediately informed the police control room about the incident,” Ranjot said.

Station House Officer of the Sector -11 police station, Sukhbir Rana, said: “From the registration numbers, we ascertained the addresses of the youths. We took Ranjot to the house of one of the youths, Amit. Though he wasn’t at home, Ranjot identified him from a photograph. Later, a checkpost was set up near the PGI and Amit was arrested.”

Amit had been involved in a snatching incident earlier as well, said a police officer.

A case has been registered against Amit and three others. A police team has been dispatched to arrest the other accused.

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Ranjot’s father, Rupinder Singh, is full of praise for his son: “My son has set an example for all others.”