Bengaluru witnessed a bizarre crime on August 16 when a man named Moeed Ali Khan, aged 25, from Wilson Garden, stole a cab and took a detour for a massage at a five-star hotel. The police later arrested him as he exited the luxury establishment.
Bengaluru Man Steals Cab, Spends Stolen Money
It all began around 4 am. Khan booked a cab via the Namma Yatri app. Ravikumar, a 21-year-old driver, picked him up and began what seemed like an ordinary journey. Khan’s destination, however, took the driver through several locations, including Marathahalli, the Hebbal flyover, and Nandi Hills.
The strange trip didn’t end there. On their return journey, Khan asked Ravikumar to stop for breakfast. They pulled into the Hills Drive Café in Kanivepura at around 7.30 am. The pair had breakfast, and by 11 am, things took a dark turn. Khan threatened Ravikumar with a knife, attempted to snatch his phone, and succeeded in stealing it.
Superintendent of Police CK Baba, speaking to Deccan Herald, confirmed the details. He stated to DH that the suspect used a knife to threaten the cab driver. After getting hold of Ravikumar’s phone, Khan forced him to reveal his password. He then transferred ₹10,000 into his own account before fleeing the scene in the cab.
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A Taste For Luxury
A terrified Ravikumar reported the incident to the Doddaballapura Rural police. A case was immediately registered, and the police began their investigation. Their efforts led them to central Bengaluru, where they discovered that Khan had checked into a five-star hotel. Within hours of the complaint being lodged, Khan was arrested as he left the hotel.
Deccan Herald reported that during questioning, Khan revealed that he had spent his time at the spa. It was a peculiar choice for a man who had just committed robbery. Police also uncovered details about Khan’s background. He had completed his pre-university course (PUC) and apparently developed a taste for luxury. Superintendent Baba emphasized the importance of having strict protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. He mentioned that aggregators should establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to follow during emergencies.
Baba suggested installing tamper-proof in-car cameras with audio recording to ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers. These cameras would deter criminal behaviour and provide evidence if a crime occurred. He also proposed an emergency SOS system for cabs, allowing both drivers and passengers to alert the nearest police station and the aggregator in times of crisis.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Representative Image)
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