Tamil Nadu Police Shoot Murder Suspect In Leg, Arrest Him After Gunfight; 2 Officers Injured

Police in Omalur arrested a murder suspect early Saturday after a violent confrontation that left two officers injured. The accused, 26-year-old Naresh Kumar of Kattikaranoor village, is alleged to have killed a 70-year-old woman on May 20, reportedly to steal her gold jewellery.

Naresh Kumar, a habitual offender with over 20 robbery cases against him, is accused of murdering Saraswathi, a 70-year-old resident of Chinnerikadu, while she was grazing cattle. Her body was later found by the roadside, showing injuries on her arm and nose.

Investigations revealed that the victim was attacked for her valuables with at least one sovereign of gold reported missing, as per a report on IANS. Following the incident, Deevattipatti police registered cases of murder and robbery and set up special teams to apprehend the suspect. They zeroed down on Naresh who also allegedly targeted elderly women and snatched their jewelleries with similar cases reported from Sankari and Magudanchavadi. 

Police Suffer Injuries In Encounter 

Based on surveillance and intelligence inputs, authorities identified Naresh Kumar and located his hideout near the foothills of Sankari Fort. When police moved in at dawn on May 24, Naresh Kumar resisted arrest, wielding a machete and attacking Sub-Inspector Vijayaraghavan and Constable Selvakumar. Both officers sustained injuries during the struggle.

To protect themselves and prevent the suspect’s escape, an officer fired a shot, hitting Naresh Kumar in the leg. He was immediately taken into custody and transported, along with the injured officers, to the Government Hospital in Sankari for medical treatment.

Police officials noted that Naresh Kumar has a lengthy criminal record, including over 20 robbery cases, primarily involving thefts targeting elderly women in rural areas. Past incidents linked to him have been reported in the Sankari and Magudanchavadi regions.

Authorities are continuing their investigation as Naresh Kumar remains in hospital custody.

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