Special squad to arrest rise in chain-snatching

Eight cases in nine hours this week; cops form 10-member team headed by police inspector to go after snatchers

Special squad to arrest rise in chain-snatching

Eight cases in nine hours this week; cops form 10-member team headed by police inspector to go after snatchers

The failure of inspector-level officers to arrest the increase in chain-snatching cases has compelled the Crime Branch to establish special squad for the purpose.

Eight cases of chain-snatching were reported within just nine hours this week. The incidents were reported between Sunday night and yesterday morning. In 15 minutes, from 10.15 pm to 10.30 pm, four cases were registered. Yesterday morning, three more cases were reported. Seven women and two men were robbed off their valuables, mostly gold ornaments, together worth nearly Rs 5 lakh.

The police said they had cracked two cases and arrested five people with the help of locals who responded to the cries of the victims. But the identity of the suspects in six similar cases is still not known.

According to the police, a scooter was used by the snatcher in one case while a Pulsar motorcycle was used in the rest of the cases.

DCP Anant Rokde (Crime) said the special squad will introduce a slew of measures to put a stop to the chain-snatching menace. Police Inspector Ram Jadhav will be the in-charge of the squad."Those behind the chain-snatching incidents will not be spared," said Rokde. "The timings for nakabandi will also be changed."

The special squad will comprise of nine constables, besides Jadhav. Rokde said the squad will conduct checks on criminals recently released from Yerwada jail, set traps in different areas and keep varying the nakabandi timings.

Cases this year
January: 21
February: 19
March: 30
April 1-11: 20
Total: 90