Others in her place may have tried in vain to chase down the two-wheeler or get on-lookers to help. However, D. Vanmathi’s presence of mind in noting down the registration number of the vehicle amidst the Monday traffic on the ECR not only helped her get back her chain that was snatched but also helped nab a notorious gang of thieves who are also college students.
The gang had, over the past couple of months, snatched more than 100 gold sovereigns in the city. Police also seized Rs 10,000 in cash and two high-speed bikes.
Ms. Vanmathi (40) was returning home along with her husband V. Devan (45) after a visit to the beach in Neelankarai. When she was near a bus stop at Injambakkam, a man snatched a chain and fled on a bike driven by his accomplice who had been waiting a few metres away. Ms. Vanmathi immediately noted down the number of the bike (TN 01 9331) and also called the police control room who in turn alerted the police patrol team led by the sub-inspector of Neelankarai police, S. Krishnamurthy.
The team led by Krishnamurthy searched various places including TASMAC outlets and hotels on the ECR and finally, found the bike parked in front of a beach resort where the duo — Syed Abdul Kaddar (20), a native of Tuticorin and Yusuf (20), a native of Madurai — were drinking. Police nabbed them and on Monday, based on the information of the duo chain snatchers, also arrested a third man ‘Petrol’ Lawrence(20). All three were sent to the central prison in Puzhal.
The first two lived in Amjinjikarai while the third stayed in Maduravoyal. All the three accused were classmates and currently, are second year students of BCA at Pachaiyappa’s Arts and Science college in the city. “The trio has snatched more than 100 gold sovereigns of jewellery in the past two months from various places including Valasaravakkam, Virungambakkam, Adyar, Mylapore, Sholinganallur, Kottivakkam, Tiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar,” said a police officer.
