Police thwart bid to steal sandalwood

Coimbatore: A day after miscreants attempted to cut down a sandalwood tree on Sarojini Street in Ram Nagar, four people tried to fell another sandalwood tree at the staff quarters of Murugan Textile Mill on Mettupalayam Road on Thursday morning.
The gang had to flee as a team from the Saibaba Colony Police Station reached the spot after being alerted by a security guard. The gang members, who had covered their faces, tried to escape in a car. The police team gave chase and also alerted the RS Puram police. The smugglers drove the car to PN Pudur and abandoned it at Mullai Nagar around 3am.
Police seized the car, some sandalwood logs and tools used to cut down trees. The car was taken to the Saibaba Colony Police Station.
Police suspect the same gang was involved in the recent sandalwood thefts. They have registered a case against the unidentified smugglers under Section 380 read with 511 of the Indian Penal Code. A special team has been formed to nab them.