Policeman's alcoholic son arrested for chain snatching

A policeman's son's hopes of getting third time lucky were crushed after the Sion police arrested him for snatching a gold chain from a lady taking a stroll at Lions Club in Sion on Wednesday evening. The 26-year-old accused was caught twice in the past for snatching gold chains, but was let off with a warning after police got to know that he was the son of a policeman.

Police said the accused was fleeing from the spot after committing the crime when four policemen seated in a patrolling van heard the victim's screams and gave chase. "Our constables nabbed the accused identified as Vishal Pol, son of constable Shivaji Pol, who is attached with the V B Nagar police station," said Z B Gavit, senior police inspector at Sion police station.

"Vishal was let off twice in the past, since his father is a policeman and he took advantage of the leniency and continued snatching gold chains," said Gavit. The police added that Vishal is addicted to alcohol and to fund his daily requirement, he took to snatching chains. Police suspect that the accused is involved in several chain snatching cases and have asked for records from several police stations across the city.

According to the police, the victim Santoshi Hiramalla (35), a resident of Subhash Nagar in Dharavi, was taking a walk when the accused approached her from behind, snatched her gold chain and fled on a motorbike. Policemen seated in the mobile van that was patrolling the area swung into action upon hearing Hiramalla's shrieks.

Assistant Police Inspector Sabale and four constables chased the biker and nabbed him. The police recovered valuables worth Rs 36,000 from the accused later. "We have secured police custody of the accused till February 4 and are investigating if he has any other cases of chain snatching registered against him," said Gavit.u00a0