Surat: Pal police arrested three persons, including a former employee of a perfume trader, for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 10 lakh from the businessman. Police said the prime accused was dismissed from the trader’s firm about one-and-a-half years ago and allegedly shared details about his former employer with the other accused.According to police, Dev Patel, 22, and Yash Galchar, 24, approached trader Jaimin Dobariya on July 9 while he was parking his car in the basement of a commercial complex. Patel allegedly threatened him with a knife and demanded Rs 10 lakh. However, Dobariya raised an alarm, prompting the duo to flee on a two-wheeler.Pal police inspector B A Bhatt said the accused were traced through CCTV footage and human intelligence. During interrogation, they disclosed the involvement of Yash Baraiya, 22, who had allegedly suggested targeting Dobariya as he was financially well-off.Police later arrested Baraiya, who revealed that he worked for Dobariya before being sacked around 18 months ago following a dispute. Investigators said he allegedly provided information about the trader to the other two accused.Patel works as a vegetable vendor, Galchar is employed in a textile unit, while Baraiya is currently unemployed. Police are probing whether there was any other motive behind the extortion attempt.
