Hyderabad: At least four cases have been recorded wherein children at play were robbed of gold earrings, chains, and anklets using a common modus operandi. The investigation has revealed that a young woman targeted these children, and in some cases has used chloroform on them.
Radha (name changed), 5, while playing with her friends was approached by a woman who first took the children with her to a grocery store and brought them chocolates. She then led Radha to a secluded area, took her gold chain from her and escaped. Radha was spotted by her neighbours who took Radha to her parents. The girl then narrated how her gold chain was stolen to her parents following which, they filed a complaint. Police said, the woman targets children under the Uppal, Saidabad, and Malakpet commissionerates, where similar cases have been recorded. The Hyderabad police has issued a lookout notice for the woman who has primarily targeted children between two and eight years of age. Speaking about her modus operandi, Malakpet additional inspector D. Nanu Naik said, “The woman mainly targets children while they’re playing alone in the streets. Under the pretext of buying them chocolates, she takes the children with her to a secluded area and robs them of their gold ornaments.”
Saidabad additional inspector P. Suresh said, “A case was reported 20 days ago following which, we analysed CCTV footage. The woman scares the children by narrating fabricated stories and then asks them to hand over their gold ornaments to her. Subsequently, she escapes with the loot.”
