Kochi: A 53-year-old US citizen of Odisha origin was allegedly confined, assaulted and robbed of cash and valuables worth over ₹3.1 lakh by two youths in his hotel room at Marine Drive in Kochi, police said on Sunday. The Ernakulam Central Police have arrested the two accused, Adarsh of Mulanthuruthy and Akash of Palluruthy, in connection with the incident.

According to Ernakulam Central police, the crime happened around 7.30 am on Sunday at a hotel on Shanmugham Road, where the complainant had been staying on rent. He had arrived in Kochi last week on an official visit for talks regarding the launch of an IT firm at Infopark, Kakkanad, and checked into the Marine Drive area on Saturday evening.

According to the police, the accused met the complainant by chance on December 13, a dry day, when liquor sale was banned due to vote counting. Police sources said Adarsh, who noticed the US man’s attempts to procure liquor, befriended him and claimed that he had liquor in his possession. The two later went to the man’s room, where they consumed alcohol together. After he fell asleep, Adarsh allegedly hatched a plan to rob him and contacted his accomplice, Akash. Adarsh slept there that night. 

On Sunday morning, Akash allegedly arrived at the hotel and knocked on the door. According to the complainant's statement, when he opened the door, Akash pushed him inside while Adarsh restrained him from behind. The duo then dragged the man into the washroom, where they threatened and assaulted him. The police said the accused forced the complainant to transfer ₹75,000 from his PhonePe account to three different mobile numbers in separate transactions of ₹25,000 each. They also took his ATM card and withdrew ₹40,000 in four instalments. In addition, the accused allegedly decamped with $500 in cash, ₹15,000 in Indian currency and a gold ring weighing about 10 grams. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at ₹3,10,290.

Based on the complaint lodged later in the day, Ernakulam Central Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Tracing mobile phone details, the police tracked Adarsh to a lodge in Maradu. He attempted to flee on seeing the police team but was chased and apprehended. Acting on his disclosure statement, the police later arrested Akash from Kumbalangi.

Both accused have been booked for criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, robbery and causing hurt. They will be remanded into judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to recover the stolen money and valuables, the police said.