Razor-flashing fireman held

PUNE, April 28: Suresh Bhandari, a 30-year-old fireman of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation8217;s fire fighting unit, was yesterday arrested on charges of extorting a Pimpri-based shop keeper to the tune of Rs 1,000.

Police said a razor-wielding Bhandari threatened to kill shopkeeper Pushpa Sukhwani when his attempts to extract the money from her while impersonating an employee of the PCMC8217;s anti-encroachment department failed.

Sukhawani was supervising the renovation work at her shop when Bhandari approached her and demanded Rs 1000 after claiming to be a PCMC8217;s anti-encroachment department staffer, according to the police.

He allegedly threatened to kill her when she refused to pay the money. He was apprehended by the labourers renovating the shop and handed over to the police, they added.