Two arrested for taking hostage and robbing a Pathao rider

KATHMANDU: Police arrested two persons for taking hostage a Pathao rider and looting him on Saturday night.

A youth who booked a Pathao ride from Koteshwor at around 11 pm on Saturday night held the Pathao rider hostage at the destination of the ride at Dhapakhel, in Kathmandu, with help from his friend.

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Range, Lalitpur, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yagya Binod Pokharel said two persons had run away from Dhapakhel after looting Rs 8,000 in cash and the Pathao rider’s motorcycle. The absconders tied the rider’s hands and legs with rope and taped his mouth before robbing him and fleeing.

“Locals informed the police after hearing cries of Pravin Rai, 25 (the Pathao rider held hostage) at 1:30 am on Sunday. The police immediately swung to action: rescued the abductee and took him to Patan Hospital for treatment.”

SSP Pokharel said Suman Tamang, 21, and accomplice Minraj Rai, who helped take the rider hostage, were arrested following the investigation.

According to Lalitpur Police SP Prajjawal Maharjan, the two were arrested Sunday morning while they were attempting to sell the Pathao rider’s motorcycle from Chandragiri Recondition Showroom in Balambu.

“Police recovered the stolen motorcycle and mobile phone from them,” Maharjan said. “Further investigation is underway.”