CHENNAI: In two separate incidents in the city, eight youths, including two minors, were arrested for waylaying victims after luring them to a secluded spot by connecting through Grindr app (a social networking site for LGBTQIA+ persons).
In one incident in Mambalam Police station limits, five youths, including two juveniles, were arrested for extorting money from a private firm employee.
The victim, a 28-year-old native of Dharmapuri, working at a private firm in Saidapet had fixed a meeting on Jan 23 (Friday) with the main accused, Saravanan through Grindr app. On reaching the spot, the victim was dragged into a house by two youths. Three others joined the duo and beat him up with iron rods.
The accused snatched his gold ring, silver chain and bracket and also forced him to transfer Rs 5,000 cash via Gpay. The gang then took him to an ATM centre to withdraw money, but cash was not dispensed. The victim managed to flee from the scene and filed a police complaint after which the accused were rounded up.
Three persons – Saravanan (28), Saranraj (21) and Sudhakar (19) – from Kannamapettai, along with two minor boys, were arrested. Police investigations revealed that Saravanan is a history-sheeter with several cases against him.
In another case in Thoraipakkam police limits, three youths were arrested for extorting a 31-year-old using a similar modus operandi. The victim went to the spot as discussed where the trio held a knife and robbed his gold earrings and made him pay Rs 6,300 by Gpay. The incident happened on Thursday (Jan 22).
Based on a complaint, the police arrested Venkata Prasath (20), Vignesh (20) and Karthik Kumar (21).