Top cop lauds bravehearts' role

Police solve 21 cases of chain snatchings; arrest four youth, recover 374 gms gold

Police have recovered gold chains worth more than Rs 10 lakh weighing about 374 grams.

Those arrested – G Abhishek alias Abhi (19), M Vinoda (20), Sadananda (22), V Sunil (19) are from city. Police is on the lookout for the kingpin of the gang who hails from Shimoga.

If the kingpin is an expert in relieving women of their chains in crowded places, all four arrested youth carried out their act on women walking in secluded places.

With the arrest of the youth, police have been able to solve 21 cases of chain snatching in city, police commissioner Sunil Agarwal told reporters.

Interestingly, police have also taken a silver merchant Anand Kumar into custody with whom the youth pledged the stolen gold chains for a meagre Rs 700-800 per gram. “A case of abetment to crime will be filed against Anand Kumar as he was aware of youth’s criminal activity. On many a ocassion, Kumar financed the youth and encouraged them to bring jewellery,” Agarwal said.

Briefing about the investigation, Police Commissioner said a help from the alert youth provided all the clue for the police to proceed in the probe.

Manjunath H M, a public relation officer with a private hospital put his own life at risk when he chased three men on bike who snatched a chain from a woman Bhagya and fled, in Vijayanagar III stage. Ignoring the drizzle, Manjunath continued to follow the gang when the bike of the youth skidded off Bogadi road. The gang left the bike and fled.

Breakthrough

Manjunath immediately alerted the police who arrived on the spot and seized the bike – which provided a crucial breakthrough. Vijayanagar inspector Lingappa and his team worked on the clue and nailed the four accused. The hunt is on for the main accused who is the kingpin, he said.

Agarwal said police traced the phone call history and found that the accused rang Anand Kumar minutes after snatching chains – in order to dispose the jewellery. “The youth were addicted to alcohol and other abusive substances. They needed regular money to fulfill their wants. Surprisingly, Anand Kumar who knew their acts of crime offered advance money and pressurised them to either return money or bring jewellery. A case of abettment will be booked against him,” police chief said and added that the gang had been active for past two years committing a serious of offences.

Agarwal announced Rs 5000 cash prize for Inspector Lingappa and his team.

Public praised

Police commissioner Sunil Agarwal heaped praise on public who were involved in nabbing chain snatchers. Manjunath was awarded an appreciation letter and cash prize of Rs 1,000 for his bravery. Police department also honoured Sushanth, Sandhya, Pradeep K Singh and Kiran Kumar for chasing a chain snatcher, thrashing him and handing him over to police.

They helped arrest Srinivasa Prasad, a chain snatcher from Siddharthanagar. Prasad snatched a chain from a woman and tried to flee in K C Layout when Sandhya alerted her son Sushanth to chase the thief. When Sushanth chased him Singh and Kumar also joined and caught hold of the chain snatcher.