LAHORE, Aug 17: Model Town SP Operations Malik Muhammad Awais suspended from service on Wednesday a sub-inspector after two alleged thieves escaped from the ‘custody’ of Ghalib Market police.

The suspects, whose identity was not revealed, escaped with their hands in cuffs from the police station. SI Mushtaq, who was interrogating the suspects, has been suspended.

Police investigation showed the escaped thieves had earlier been held by the residents of Canal Park red-handed while stealing a cell phone on Wednesday. Police arrived at the scene and took the thieves into custody. Azam Khawar, a complainant, said the SI had got registered a case of theft with the Ghalib Market police.

Later, the handcuffed suspect and an alleged bicycle thief, who was also handcuffed in the police station, mysteriously managed to escape from the police station.

The divisional SP, while taking notice of the escape, directed the Ghalib Market circle ASP to submit inquiry report of the incident in 24 hours.