Police nab Iranian duo behind 5 robberies in city

A senior officer told DTNext that the two, identified as Ali and Thofeeq, were traced to Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh and were secured by the police there.

The first instance was reported at Royapettah from where a 9-sovereign chain of a government nurse was snatched. Then, the gang followed a 60-year-old woman at Pulianthope and relieved her of 13 sovereigns. 

Within minutes, an elderly woman lost another 9 sovereigns to them in Anna Nagar. In Puzhal and Madhavaram, too, two 70-year-old women were robbed of their 7 and 5 sovereign chains respectively.

Police claim night robberies have reduced 

However, the City Police claimed that night-time mugging has drastically come down in the city during the last seven days following the deployment of special crime preventions teams on the streets of Chennai during night hours. 

“It has come down, as we have picked up all the known offenders and snatchers,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (South) MC Sarangan. The officer added that they had prepared a list of buyers who receive stolen mobile phones from the snatchers. However, they are yet to crack down on the shops. 

“Those who are involved in the illegal activity of changing the mobile phone IMEI number are also being tracked, and action will be taken against them,” the officer said. The presence of crime prevention teams has also stopped criminals from using stolen vehicles, particularly bikes, which are mostly used to commit crimes. However, the officer did not disclose the details of the decrease in number of night time muggings at knifepoint in various parts of the city. 

According to police, one chain snatching incident and attempt to rob a youth was reported in the city in the last one week. On Tuesday, police arrested two persons for snatching mobile phones and valuables at knifepoint in different areas, which occurred on 10 June. 

It may be recalled that as many as 14 cases of robberies took place between late hours on 10 June and early June 11 in central and south Chennai neighbourhoods. The City Police have already arrested eight men in connection with those robberies in Koyambedu and Tirumangalam. Police have also detained thousands of history-sheeters in the combing operation.