Gang of 6, including four women, held for robberies

Six members of an inter-state gang, including four women, who would rob senior citizens by diverting their attention, were arrested by the central division police. The arrested are Vijaya, Sudha, Lakshmi, Muthumari, Kannan and Manovaran from Velankanni, Tamil Nadu. The police have recovered 850 grams gold worth Rs 26 lakh. The arrests helped the police solve at least 25 cases registered at various police stations in the city.

The modus operandi of the gang was to divert the attention of elderly people and make away with their valuables. The gang members would target the elderly and follow them until they found an isolated stretch. They would manage to divert the attention of the victims by throwing money on the road or by telling them that someone was calling them and then snatch their bags, mobile phones or gold chains, said the police.

Another modus operandi of the gang was that they would wait outside government offices and look out for senior citizens approaching officers to get their pension released. The gang members would initiate conversations with the senior citizens and promise them that they would help them in getting the pension released. They would ask the victims to remove their jewels and wrap them in a paper. They would tell the victim that wearing jewels would delay the process in getting the pension released as the officers would think they are financially sound. The moment the gold ornaments are removed, the suspects would manage to flee with the valuables, added the police.

The suspects would also pick pockets of people in buses and trains. They would commit the offence in the city and go back to their native place. They would come back and strike again whenever they needed money. It is being investigated if there are cases registered against the suspects in Tamil Nadu and other states.