The police here today claimed to have arrested the serial killer responsible for the murder of three persons with stone in the city since April.
Hitesh Ramavat (30), the alleged killer, was arrested in Bedeshwar area of Jamnagar city, Rajkot police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said.
Ramavat had confessed to bludgeoning three persons to death with stone and also to one unsuccessful murder attempt, Gehlot said.
"Ramavat was involved in three murders which took place between April 21 and June 2 in and around the city. The accused crushed the heads of all the victims using a stone," the commissioner said.
"We had made a sketch of the suspect from eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage. We received some crucial information from public after we released that sketch. Our investigation also revealed that the culprit exhibited abnormal behaviour and mannerisms," said Gehlot.
"Based on this information, we zeroed in on Ramavat. He is originally from Rajkot but was living in Jamnagar for the last five months. He visited Rajkot only to commit the murder and returned to Jamnagar. We are investigating why he committed the murders," said the commissioner.
"The people of the city need not be afraid anymore as the culprit has been caught. This was one of the most difficult cases.... Our team's hardwork paid off," he said.
On April 21, Sagar Bharwad (28) was found dead near the Bhaktinagar Railway station. On May 25, Pravin Barad, an auto-rickshaw driver, was found dead near the gate of Saurashtra University, while on June 2 Vallabh Rangani (60), a resident of Mavdi Plot, was murdered while on morning walk.
All three had been hit by a stone. So the police suspected it to be a case of serial killing.
After Rangani's death, police released a sketch of the suspect from CCTV grab of a tall person seen walking with Rangani on that day. The commissioner also announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the culprit.
