Police bust gang of chain-snatchers, four arrested

Jamshedpur : The police busted a gang of chain-snatchers by arresting four persons from Kadma police station area early. The police had a breakthrough in the cases of burglary and chain-snatching as they busted a gang of chain-snatcher by arresting four youth from near Bhatia Park under Kadma police station area.

Those arrested have been identified as Trinath Kumar, Raja Kumar Bahadur, Amit Shah and Chandra Shekhar Prasad, all residents of Kadma.

The police have recovered a gold-chain, 30 pieces of iron rods and motorcycle from the possession of those arrested. Those arrested are in their mid twenties and reside at the urban slums in Kadma locality.

Senior SP, Amol V Homkar said that while patrolling the Kadma locality, a police party came across two bike-borne youth near Bhatia Bustee.

According to Homkar, on being searched the police recovered a gold chain from the possession of one of the accused who were nabbed by the police first. Later during interrogation, the four confessed that they would snatch gold chain from the neck of the women at public places and in the night they commit burglary at residential premises.
“We are trying to find out the incident of chain-snatching the gang was involved in. The detection of the gang is important as there had been a spat of chain-snatching incidents in the city,” said the senior SP while talking to the newsmen.

Moreover incidents of conmen diverting the attention of the public and making away with their bags containing cash and valuables have also been on the rise in the city. Despite efforts to curb the incidents by the police the situation remain the same.

Though such incidents are frequently occurring in various parts of the city, the police have not able to control the situation. People coming out of the cases banks after withdrawing money have been the victims in a majority.
A majority of chain snatching incidents have taken place during afternoon and late evening hours when it is difficult to identify snatchers.

Snatchers grab the victims from the back and snatch their chains, earrings and other ornaments and escape from the scene within seconds. They target women who pass through deserted areas.

Most of them are active in the evenings and the normal targets are women above 50 years. Though 10 anti-chain snatching squads were formed last year, and they were provided with motorcycles, it has been difficult to nab the culprits. The modus operandi is the same for the most part.

�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.

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.