The accused, Madhan, on Sunday, had flagged an autorickshaw at Ayappakkam and asked the driver, Nandhakumar, to drop him at Krishna Nagar in Maduravoyal.

Upon reaching the destination, Madhan claimed that he would collect the fare from his brother-in-law, who lived nearby, and asked Nandakumar to accompany him. When they reached a secluded place, Madhan threatened the driver with a knife, snatched the vehicle key, and fled with the autorickshaw.

Based on a complaint from Nandakumar, Madhuravoyal police registered a case and launched a search for the suspect.

A police team traced and arrested Madhan alias Madhanraj (24), a resident of Nerkundram. A probe revealed that Madhan was a history-sheeted accused in the Koyambedu police station and has several cases against him. The stolen autorickshaw was recovered from him.