Cops struggle to identify snatchers in CCTV footage

Speaking to DTNext, an inspector said that they have collected CCTV footage from 200 spots, but none of them reveal the identity of the snatchers. “Till now, footage was collected within one-kilometre radius from the spot where the crime took place. Our higher-ups have ordered to extend the radius up to five kilometres,” said the inspector.

The number of special teams formed to catch the snatchers has been increased to five and neighbouring stations have been asked to keep a vigil on suspicious movements of people to prevent similar incidents. 

On Sunday morning, five chain snatching incidents were reported in a span of three hours in T Nagar, Ashok Nagar, KK Nagar, Valasaravakkam and Tirumangalam in which elderly women were targeted and 52 sovereigns were robbed from them. The incidents happened one after another in nearby areas at an interval of 15 to 30 minutes, which made the police suspect that it could be the same snatchers, which the CCTV footage has confirmed now. 

Police said that the victims were random targets and the incidents were not pre-planned. However, the inspector added that it could not be confirmed as yet whether the same snatchers were behind the three incidents reported a week ago at Virugambakkam, Kodambakkam and KK Nagar. 

Chain snatching incidents continue unabated in the city despite several victims being grievously injured in the incidents. Detaining the accused under the Goondas Act doesn’t seem to have deterred them.