India: Robber Caught Thanks To GPS

India knows the value of GPS technology. High incidents of rape and molestations led the country to install GPS devices on the country’s school buses and in public transportation vehicles. India has realized the potential of the technology to combat crime, bringing the from third-world status to something more.

Evidence of the power of transportation equipped with GPS devices: a recent case where Sangvi authorities were able to capture two men who robbed employees of a Tech Mahindra company in a mere three hours.

The driver, 23-year old Ganesh Rankhamb and a security guard, Ganesh Pawar, both employees of Tech Mahindra, were traveling in a company vehicle. They were on their way to pick up employees from Chikhali, and stopped off near Sangvi Phata to visit a restroom at about 3 am.

Two motorcycles appeared with four men on board, and their intentions were realized when they pulled knives, threatening the lives of Rankhamb and Pawar. They demanded the two men get in the car and drove them to Kasarsai, eventually assaulting them with the knives along the drive. Once at their destination, the four men forced the two captives to undress, tying them up with their clothing.

Stealing their car keys and two mobile phones, a silver ring, a watch, and Pawar’s ATM card, they proceeded to demand the ATM password, threatening to cut off Pawar’s thumb if he did not comply. Upon successfully receiving the password, they disappeared in the stolen car, heading to an ATM where they withdrew Rs 20,000 with the stolen card.

Rankhamb and Pawar were able to free themselves, heading to the Tech Mahindra office and alerting management to the situation. They contacted Sangvi police, who were able to determine the whereabouts of the stolen car thanks to the GPS device on-board. At 6:30 am, the car was recovered.

30-year old Lalit Khollam was arrested, but 25-year old Rahul Rajput, 25-year old Datta Bansode, and 27-year old Adesh Bharati were able to escape into the darkness. Later that day, Rajput was arrested.

If it weren’t for the GPS, who knows if any of them would have ever been captured. Shahji Umap, deputy commissioner of police, recommended a GPS tracking device in every car.

He added, “The suspects during interrogation said they usually targeted single-storied houses, but on Thursday they had planned to loot goods trucks on highways for which they needed a car.” Maybe next time they’ll think twice about stealing a car, never knowing for sure if a GPS device is installed or not.

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India: Robber Caught Thanks To GPS