Balasore, March 14: Police in Odisha’s Balasore district have arrested a youth for allegedly impersonating a police officer and extorting money from a truck driver.

The accused, Mahiranjan Das of Arjunpur village, was apprehended by Khaira police after a complaint was filed by the victim.

According to police sources, Ajay Panda, a resident of Anantapur village under the Soro police limits, was transporting stone chips in his truck from Kupari to Soro. When he reached near Toranipada Chhak in the Khaira area, four youths stopped the vehicle and claimed to be police personnel.

The youths reportedly checked the truck’s documents and then demanded money from the driver. Under pressure, Ajay Panda transferred Rs 3,000 to a PhonePe number given by them.

Later, Panda realised that the individuals who had stopped him were not genuine police officials and that he had been cheated.

He subsequently lodged a written complaint at Khaira Police Station.

Based on the complaint, Khaira IIC Jan Pattnaik initiated an investigation, which led to the arrest of Mahiranjan Das from Arjunpur village.

The accused was later produced before a court and forwarded for judicial proceedings. Police said efforts are ongoing to identify and track down the other youths involved in the incident.