Father abducts children, rams police vehicle during chase; arrested after hours-long manhunt

PERUMBAVOOR: In a tense and chaotic series of events, a man abducted his children from his estranged wife and led police on a frantic car chase that left a police officer injured and a control room vehicle damaged. The suspect, who fled on foot after abandoning his car, was later apprehended from his residence. The children were rescued unharmed and handed over to their mother.

The accused, Jishnu (31), a resident of Arakkappady and listed on the rowdy sheet at the Perumbavoor Police Station, has a history of alcohol abuse, which led to his wife leaving him and moving with their children to her family home in Mudakkuzha, Thrikkepra, Kodanad, police said.

On Thursday afternoon, Jishnu reached the residence and forcibly took the couple’s two children, aged seven and five, without the mother’s consent. She immediately informed the Aluva Rural Police Control Room, prompting police to launch vehicle checks in likely escape routes. Jishnu's vehicle was located near Vazhayan Chirangara, where CPO Jaison approached the suspect. However, Jishnu reversed the car abruptly, knocking the officer to the ground and injuring his arm with the open door. Jaison was admitted to Perumbavoor Taluk Hospital for treatment.

The chase continued, and police tried to stop Jishnu near Valamboor in Pattimattam by blocking the road with a control room vehicle. Jishnu rammed through the barricade and sped off. Anticipating arrest, he arranged for an acquaintance to transport the children home in an auto-rickshaw..

His car, which had run out of fuel, was found abandoned around 4 PM near Kummanode. After a thorough search, police arrested Jishnu at 7:30 PM from a location in Vengola. He now faces multiple charges, including endangering police personnel. The police safely reunited the children with their mother at her home in Kodanad, bringing the ordeal to a close.