A stuntman landed in jail on Tuesday, when he used his skills on a motorcycle to snatch chains.
Johnson Vincent (36), a resident of Sivam Nagar, Rajajipuram in Tiruvallur district, has worked in a few Tamil films including ‘Thalainagaram’, besides a number of television serials. However, since 2012 his stunts on celluloid, which fetched him around Rs. 700 per day, were not enough to meet his needs. Johnson then apparently decided to employ his motorcycling skills in a new profession – chain snatching.
“Johnson went around on his motorcycle wearing a jacket and a helmet, targeting women pedestrians walking alone in Valasaravakkam and adjoining areas, for many months. He snatched their gold chains and sped away. He also waylaid men at knifepoint and robbed them,” said A. Elangovan, inspector, Royala Nagar police station.
A few days ago, Johnson was nabbed by local residents on Shanti Nagar Main Road in Ramapuram, as he tried to flee after robbing a man of his gold chain and money at knifepoint. The residents handed him over to the police.
Johnson told police that he began snatching chains since he could not support his family solely on stunt jobs.
Police said Johnson has been prosecuted on earlier occasions too, for theft.
