Robbers have free rein of city

Some even stab their victims while looking for booty

A spate of robberies in the city has left Bangaloreans bemused. Despite police patrol, robbers are striking at random, with at least two robberies being reported every day on an average.

Since 2008, 2,049 robbery cases have been recorded, with chain-snatchings topping the list with 999 instances. In fact, 26 of the 63 robberies reported during January 2011 pertain to chain-snatching.

Deserted roads

Usually, the victims are pedestrians and two-wheeler riders who are accosted in poorly lit or deserted areas. Robberies are common in Subrahmanyanagar, Subrahmanyapura, Rajajinagar, Sunkadakatte, Mahalakshmi Layout, Peenya, Kodigehalli, Darasahalli, Mahadevapura, Sarjapur Road, Byatarayanapura near Mysore Road, Kengeri, Utharahalli Main Road, Chandapura, Iliyas Nagar, Ramakrishna Hegde Nagar Main Road, Tannery Road and Devarajeevanahalli.

Taking an advantage of the perceived failure of policing, muggers practically have free run of the city, snatching ATM cards, cellphones, chains, rings and other valuables from their victims.

Use of violence

Robbers are also becoming more daring by the day and don't hesitate to stab the residents of the house while looking for the booty. Such incidents are being reported from western and eastern parts of the city. However, most break-ins occur when the family is away.

Officials attached to the Organised Crime Wing and Special Enquiry Squad of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested at least 150 robbers in the recent past, including associates of the notorious JCB Narayana, Hebbettu Manja, Kavala, Korangu and other anti-social elements, said an assistant commissioner of police at the CCB.