Berhampur: In a major breakthrough,  Ganjam police cracked a loot case and arrested 11 dacoits and seized a sum of Rs 12.59 lakh from their possessions in Dharakote area  in the district today.

The arrests were made based on a complaint lodged by B Baya Patra of Kendupali village under Badagada police limits in the district.

On May 28, Patra and two of his associates were returning to Ganjam from Ichchapuram of Andhra Pradesh in an auto-rickshaw after selling goats in Visakhapatnam market, when eight dacoits came in four motorcycles and obstructed them. The dacoits assaulted the trio and looted a cash of Rs 16,80,000 from them.

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Later, Patra lodged a complaint at Dharakote police station the same day, acting on which the cops had initiated an investigation. Primary investigation suggested that the helper and the driver of the auto-rickshaw, the prime suspects of the case, had confessed that they were part of the loot conspiracy hatched by the nine others.

Today, the cops arrested 11 accused in connection with the loot and seized cash amounting to Rs 12,59,500.  Besides, the cops seized four motor-cycles, eight mobile phones, a metal punch, a toy pistol and remnants of two burnt mobile phones of the victims from their possessions.