Snatching gang, who used car to spot targets, held

Recently, the trio threatened Tirupathi (29) of Rani Anna Nagar at knifepoint when the latter was walking on Razak Garden Main Road to part with his valuables. As he refused, they attacked Tirupathi and robbed his gold chain and cash. 

Tirupathi immediately raised an alarm and the Arumbakkam police, who were patrolling the locality, chased the men and secured them. An investigation revealed that the men, identified as Sabeer Batcha (27) of Villivakkam, Prakash (29) of Anna Nagar and Rajkumar (24) of Perambur, are behind several chain snatching incidents in Anna Nagar, Arumbakkam, Tirumangalam, Rajamanglam, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar and Peravallur. 

One of them would roam around in their car looking for gullible pedestrians with valuables and alert the others. Then, the duo on a bike would go to the spot and rob the victims, said police. All three were remanded in judicial custody. 

Meanwhile, Pondy Bazaar police arrested a duo, including a juvenile, for snatching a mobile phone from a pedestrian. The accused, A Mohammed Shameem (19), was remanded in judicial custody and the minor sent to an observation home.