Ludhiana: The police have busted a gang that impersonated as cops to extort money.
A car, a hooter, a red-blue light, a khaki turban, tan colour shoes, a police badge and a mask with police logo, besides Rs 50,000 of extorted money were recovered from four of its members.
Police said the accused used to target labourers and vendors and extorted money by threatening to lodge an FIR against them.
The arrested have been identified as Manpreet Singh, 25, of New Shimlapuri who own a mobile store; Santosh Kumar, 27, of Daba; Rakesh Kumar, 26, of Loharsa; and Ajay Tiwari, 25, of Daba, all three are labourers.
The Daba police arrested them on Saturday evening from 33 Feet Road on a tip-off.
Joint commissioner of police (rural) Sachin Gupta said, “Manpreet is the kingpin, who used to pose as a cop.
He would wear a khaki turban, tan colour shoes and a mask with Punjab Police logo.
He owns a car and on it he had installed a red-blue light and a hooter.
The accused would roam around in different localities of Daba, especially during lockdown.”On finding a vendor or a shopkeeper working during lockdown, they would threaten to lodge an FIR and extort money.
At times, they would take fruits, vegetables and meat, among others, from the vendors and distribute among themselves.” “The accused would claim to be from CIA or Daba police station.
They would take money from those without a mask after threatening to challan them.
Manpreet owns a mobile store and Santosh, Rakesh and Ajay were his customers.
Manpreet made the plan to extort money and lured the trio into it.
They would distribute among themselves the money, too,” he added.They are being questioned to know from where they got the police badge and other stuff.