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Dressed as DMK men, pickpocket gang targets crowd outside Kauvery Hospital
A 13-member gang from southern districts, who posed as DMK cadre to join the milling crowd outside Kauvery Hospital – where party patriarch M Karunanidhi has been admitted – and indulged in pickpocketing were arrested by the City Police. The gang used to target political gatherings across the state, police said.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Police started looking for suspects after Surya Raj, a DMK functionary from Thoothukudi, complained to Mylapore police that he lost Rs 40,000 on Sunday. Some mediapersons too complained of losing wallets and gadgets while camping in front the hospital.
After keeping a close watch on the crowd, the police first nabbed Muthukumar, of Pudupet, who was ‘operating’ alone. After getting the wind of what was happening, they then arrested 13 persons on Monday night.
The accused were identified as V Jeevarathinam (54), C Murali (25), R Amir Batcha (52), N Manikandan (34), A Sikandar Sait (40), B Arumugam (43), A Zakir (39), K Annadurai (31), M Muniyasamy (31), S Neelakandan (42), T Thangarasu (59), R Rahul (34) and A Sikandar Batcha (35).
The gang told the police that they have veshtis, flags and towels of all political parties and use it whenever necessary. The men would wear veshtis with party colours, mingle with the crowd and steal purses and mobile phones from the cadre.
The task of collecting details of political gatherings was entrusted on Annadurai and Murali, while Jeevarathinam would assemble four-five expert pickpockets. The others would safe keep the stolen cash and gadgets. The last batch used to receive Rs 1,000 a day for keeping the loot safe, police said.
Police said the gang was staying in a room at Koyambedu and would share the booty every day, and added that they have recovered around Rs 60,000 from the suspects. Further investigation is on.
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