Bhubaneswar, March 26: Miscreants allegedly looted a luxury Defender car worth around ₹1.5 crore after assaulting showroom staff during a test drive arranged through a phone call.

According to reports, the accused had called a showroom located at Phulnakhara on Wednesday, requesting a test drive of the high-end vehicle. Following the request, the showroom manager along with a salesgirl drove the Defender car to a hotel on the Bharatpur–Chandaka road on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Upon reaching the location, five miscreants, who were already waiting at the hotel, attacked the manager and physically assaulted him. They also allegedly misbehaved with the salesgirl. The accused then snatched the car and fled the scene.

Before escaping, the miscreants reportedly threatened the manager at gunpoint and looted ₹1.5 lakh through an online transaction.

Subsequently, the showroom manager lodged a complaint at Bharatpur police station. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and sought assistance from a scientific team. A joint search operation was initiated, including questioning locals and examining CCTV footage.

During the investigation, police traced the looted vehicle, which was later found abandoned on the Khordha–Tangi road. Additionally, a black car used by the accused was seized from a hotel on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Police have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the culprits.