Chain-snatchers strike gold in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: While the city police is busy providing security cover for the Chief Minister and other VVIPs in the city, chain-snatchers are having a free hand at targeting citizens, making best use of the cops' busy schedule.

 

In the last three days alone nearly 10 chain-snatching incidents took place in areas falling under Suryarao Pet, Satyanarayana Puram and Bhavanipuram and other police stations limits in the city.

On Friday, while Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was holding a cabinet meeting at the camp office in Suryarao Pet, two chain-snatchers targeted three women in the same area. 

 

Three other women were targeted in Satyanarayana Puram. Gold ornaments weighing around Nearly 500 gram was looted during these incidents. While the modus operandi of the thieves was similar to any other chain-snatching gang, it's the time they chose for striking that made the whole difference. 

 

Instead of committing the crime early in the morning or during late evening hours, the chain-snatchers chose broad daylight, when a majority of police personnel including SHOs, SIs, constables and others were busy at the camp office. Since most of the outlaws were wearing helmets while committing the crime, the police department is having a tough time tracing them.

 

Meanwhile, the rise in thefts has become a major concern for police as well as the public. The incidents that have been reported over the past few days have sent the alarm bells ringing. To create awareness among public about the rising number of chain-snatching cases, the police department has released a set of suggestions for the people to follow.