Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 26: Two motor bike-borne youngsters, who were in a hurry to escape after snatching a cellphone from a person lost their lives in an accident which occurred within seconds of the theft. The incident occurred near Iskcon temple on West of Chord Road in the city at around 2 am on Wednesday February 24.

Abhilash (21) and Santosh (20), both from Shivanahalli here, were killed in the accident after the bike of the thieves hit a water tanker that was parked by the roadside nearby.

A gang of four thieves in two motor bikes had confronted Iqlaq from Gujarat near Big Bazaar, with daggers in hand. After threatening to kill him, the gang snatched away Rs 1,500 in cash and a cellphone from his possession. When the thieves were about to leave, they heard blaring of siren. Fearing that it could be police vehicle, they tried to escape in a hurry, and hit the tanker stationed nearby, it is learnt.

The tanker was parked near Iskcon Hospital. While Santosh died on the spot, Abhilash breathed his last later at a hospital. The other two thieves fled from the scene, fearing police action. The stolen cellphone, a knife, and dagger were recovered from the possession of deceased duo. A case was filed in Malleshwaram traffic police station about the accident.

Subrahmanyanagara police, who have registered case of robbery, are searching for the missing gang members. Policemen said that Abhilash and Santosh were facing cases of theft, robbery, waylaying etc in Nandini Layout police station in the city.