The accused were identified as 24-year-old Vicky, a resident of Manimajra, and 23-year old Raju, a resident of Ram Darbar.

In September 2008, two motorcycle-borne youths snatched a bag containing Rs 65,000 from Anmol Kohli, who owns a Vodafone outlet in Sector 9.

In January 2009, four persons robbed Kohli of Rs 2.65 lakh and Vodafone prepaid coupons worth Rs 60,000 at gunpoint. This time the robbers punctured Kohli’s car, parked outside his shop, and swooped on him in a white Maruti car.

The incidents had sent shockwaves among the traders’ fraternity, as a majority of them return home late in the evening with the day’s collection.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Madhur Verma said: “The accused have confessed to the crime. We are verifying the details of the incidents.”

The police have recovered prepaid coupons worth Rs 30,000 from the possession of the accused while the gun and the car are yet to be recovered.

Sources said both the accused were former employees of a Vodafone agency in the city.