15 incidents of valuables being wrested from women reported between December 4 and 5
Chain snatchers have adopted a novel modus operandi to sidestep temporary check posts (nakabandi) set up by police to nab them. In full filmy style, after robbing someone, the miscreants immediately take off from the spot to a nearby highway or bypass road, to dodge the nakabandi on interior city streets.
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According to statistics available, a total of 476 chain snatchings have been reported this year so far, while perpetrators in only 145 instances have been nabbed. In other words, a total of Rs 2.60 crore in gold ornaments has been stolen, and loot worth only Rs 50 lakh has been recovered.
“We have repeatedly appealed to women, especially senior citizens, to avoid wearing gold ornaments while going for morning or evening walk. We have also conducted surprise checks and regular nakabandi to deter the culprits,” said assistant commissioner of police (crime) Rajendra Bhamare.
He added, “We have observed a new trend among these offenders, who are avoiding the check posts in the internal roads of the city police limits. The frequency of chain snatching incidents has increased in the outskirts, from where it is easy for the perpetrators to flee and reach a highway, so that the city police can’t catch them. More such occurrences are being reported from Vimantal, Nigdi, Warje, Kothrud, etc.”
Eleven incidents on Wednesday (December 4) and four fresh ones yesterday – that is a total of 15 episodes – were reported from Kothrud, Pimpri, Hinjewadi, Deccan, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Vimantal, Sangvi, Chatuhshrungi and MIDC Bhosari.
The women targeted by the snatchers are in the age group of 55-70 years, and the incidents occurred between 10 am and noon. The offences have taken place near plush areas and housing complexes like Vedvihar Society in Kothrud, Swapnamandir Society in Erandwana, Dahanukar Colony, Rajas Society in Katraj, Vimannagar, Pimpri, Thergaon, etc.
476 Total no of chain-snatching incidents reported in the city in 2013
Rs 2.60 cr Value of gold ornaments stolen in these offences
Rs 50 lakh Value of the loot recovered by city police
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