JOIN USA 25-year old man, who robbed passengers on the Bangalore-Mysore train, has been arrest by the City railway police.
The suspect has been identified as Nanjunda, 25, a resident of Hebbal in Heggadadevanakote.
Railway police claim to have recovered stolen jewellery, five laptops and other valuables from him.
According to Railway police, Nanjunda boarded trains departing for Mysore after 3 am. After entering the second class sleeper coaches, he would target sleeping passengers, especially women.
When the train approached a station, he would snatch their valuables and jump out of the train and escape.
“At times, he would collect the bags of other passengers and run away,” said Railway sub-inspector Mallesh.
Even a spell in jail had failed to reform Nanjunda, police added. Imprisoned in Mandya jail for similar offences, he was released a month ago and he immediately resumed his criminal habits.
“He may have been responsible for robberies in Maddur, Mandya, Kengeri and Bidadi areas,” police added.
He is said to be involved in 12 cases of robbery in March alone.
He would pledge the stolen valuables with women fruit vendors in Mandya, claiming that he needed money to take care of his ailing son and dying wife.
Special team
Nanjunda was arrested after Railway police constituted a special team two weeks ago, following repeated complaints by passengers that their valuables had gone missing.
Efforts by the police to apprehend the culprit were helped by Nanjunda himself, after he made a failed bid to rob a woman.
“The futile bid left us with enough clues to apprehend him,” police explained. Nanjunda was recognised in a sleeper coach several days later and arrested.