Australian woman robbed of bag with passport and cash on Marina

Elisa Wandersman from Noarlunga Town in Australia was sitting on the beach, while her two other friends were playing in the sea a few metres away around 8.45 pm on Monday. As she was sitting there, an unidentified man who was passing by began a conversation with her. Even as he and Elisa were talking, he suddenly snatched her handbag and took to his heels. Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, Elisa shouted for help, but the snatcher vanished into dark before her friends could reach out.

The bag contained not just Rs 15,000 in cash and two mobile phones, it also had her passport and tourist visa.

Elisa had reached Chennai on April 4, and has been staying at a friend’s place in Anna Nagar along with her friend, Francis. She initially approached the nearby police station with a complaint two days after the incident. But the officers there asked her to report the matter at Marina police station where the incident happened.

This is the first incident in the recent history where a foreigner has been targeted by a snatcher at Marina. A case has been registered.

After Elisa informed the police that she would be in India for another 20 days, they issued her an FIR copy of her passport having been robbed so as to help her get alternative facility from the Australian embassy.

Police sources said that Elisa initially did not cooperate for the inquiry and refused divulge her personal details. Later, they had to explain the procedure to her, after which she furnished required information.