Srikakulam: Pseudo-cop lands behind bars

Srikakulam: A chain-snatcher, who turned as a pseudo cop by pretending as close friend to police higher officials was held here on Thursday.

Speaking to media here, Superintendent of Police R N Ammi Reddy said the accused was identified as Rachapalli Srinu alias Mangali Srinu, a native of Srikakulam district.

He said earlier the accused was involved in several chain-snatching cases and later he was held by the police and subsequently convicted by the court in 2017. After releasing from jail, Srinu targeted police officers of SI and CI level and pretended before them as close friend to higher officials and collected Rs 4 lakh from them.

Based on the complaint lodged by JR Puram SI B Ashok Babu, the police registered a case against Srinu. During investigation, the police were aware about hi-tech cheating style of the accused. The accused targeting those police officers who were in suspension, attachment and vacancy reserve position as part of disciplinary action of the department.

He started contacting with those officers and assured them to lift suspensions, attachment, VR as he is close friend to higher police officers. Believing his words some officers paid amount also, the SP admitted. The police arrested him and recovered Rs 50,000 cash and two cell phones from his possession.