The police have arrested three women, who purportedly belong to a gang from Tamil Nadu, for robbing passengers.
The operation of the gang came to light with the back-to-back arrests of three women, all from Tamil Nadu, from Aluva and Angamaly in a span of just two days.
In the first case, the police arrested one Alamelu for attempting to lift a mobile phone and cash kept in a woman passenger’s wallet on board a KSRTC bus. In the second case, the police arrested Dhanamma and Chandanamani, both natives of Pollachi district in Tamil Nadu, while attempting to steal cash from the handbag of a lady passenger on a KSRTC bus, which was going to Thrissur from Perumbavoor. The accused were produced in various local courts and remanded in judicial custody.
No solid leads yet
Though the police are yet to receive solid leads to prove that the three women belonged to the same gang, they say a group of women from the neighbouring State has made their way to the district to step into crowded buses and flee after lifting valuables.
Upon zeroing in on a potential target, the gang members would flank passengers, mainly women, and divert their attention. After carrying out the theft, the stolen valuables would be swiftly handed over to another member, who flees with the loot, police said.
Patrolling
Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Rural Police have deployed personnel in plain clothes for patrolling on Aluva-Angamaly and Aluva –Perumbavoor routes. “Random checks are done in all buses operating across the district. Further, a squad comprising officials in uniform and plain clothes, will monitor commuters, they added.
