Jamshedpur:The East Singhbhum police busted mobile phone snatchers by arresting a youth and two minors from different parts of the city. The police recovered nine smartphones, two bikes and a scooter which they used in executing the crime.
Suraj Agarwal (21), a resident of Gurudwara Basti in Sakchi was arrested on Monday night while the two minors were picked up from their houses from the same locality yesterday.
City SP Prabhat Kumar today said the gang used to operate in localities of Sonari, Kadma , Sidhgora and Sitaramdera.
According to the city SP, the accused had first targeted a woman near the Ram Mandir in Sonari on April 25.
In a similar incident on May 6, they targetted another woman at Road No- 7 at Kagalnagar in Sonari and fled with the cellphone. Another incident took place at the same locality ( Kagalnagar) on June 8.
Concerned over the rising snatching incidents of cellphones a team was constituted headed by Anuj Kumar, officer-in-charge of Sonari police station .
An official admitted that the incidents of snatching have increased during the past couple of weeks. He said that persons, whose movements were found to be suspicious, were detained in the last two months. Besides, the police have been keeping extra vigil in residential colonies not only during night but daytime too.
It has often been observed that burglars keep a watch to fix their ‘target’ in a housing colony or society before committing crimes. People whose movements were found to be suspicious should be placed under watch. An official pointed out that the police were trying to find out if any more member is also involved in the chain-snatching and looting of bank customers.
�Areas like Sakchi Bistupur main road, railway station, Kadma Sonari link road are more prone to such cases. The gang ride up to the victim in their motorcycle and ask for directions. At a convenient time they commit the crime and flee the scene,� said a police official. He said that the police department has decided to increase vigil in those areas and night patrolling will be intensified.
Officials say that these chain snatchers use special tools and customised motorcycles. Special pliers are used to cut chains. Many boost the engine power of their bike by fitting imported carburetors and quick action throttles.