Auto driver, friend rob passenger

Manuguru: An auto-rickshaw driver along with his friend allegedly robbed money after injuring a passenger near Sammakka Sarakka temple in Thogudem on Tuesday.

According to the victim, the duo attacked with empty beer bottles and snatched Rs 40,000 in cash from him. The accused were identified as Bomtha Sagar and Badugula Kondal of Buttapalli in Karakagudem mandal.

The accused offered the victim, Degala Veeraiah, to drop at his village Ramanujavaram. But the driver turned the auto back towards Thogudem on the pretext of picking a few passengers who had to go to Bayyaram.

Suddenly, the duo stopped the vehicle and hit Veeraiah and fled away with the money. The injured lodged a complaint with the police on Wednesday after undergoing treatment. The police apprehended the accused and further probe is on.