Two suspects who had defrauded Rs. 2 million from a businessman have been arrested close to the Ikirigolla school in the Medawachchiya area yesterday.
The Police stated that the suspects had contacted the businessman, impersonating a high-ranking Navy officer, and had offered to provide a legal tender for oil and diesel distribution for a sum of Rs. 2 million.
The suspects had informed the businessman to meet them with the said amount of money close to the Poonewa Navy Camp.
Upon arriving near the Navy Camp, the suspects introduced themselves as Naval personnel and obtained the National Identity Cards of the businessman and his relative who had accompanied him in a lorry.
The suspects had ventured towards the Navy Camp entrance under the guise of obtaining permission to enter after which they had returned and informed the victim to drive into the camp while taking possession of the money.
The Police stated that the suspects who were travelling on a motorcycle ahead of the lorry with the money had fled the area as the lorry had attempted to turn towards the entrance of the Navy Camp.
However, the driver of the lorry chased after the suspects, while the suspects had also sped past a Police checkpoint despite being ordered to stop, prompting the officers to also chase after them.
Upon being informed by the Police officers, and the suspects having sped past a second checkpoint, another group of officers also chased after the suspects and apprehended them close to the Ikirigolla school in Medawachchiya with the money.
The suspects aged over 32 years are residents of Ibbagamuwa, while one suspect is a Sri Lanka Army driver.
The Medawachchiya and Poonewa Police are conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)
