Two mobile phone snatchers were nabbed by the public at the Kaladipet Market on Wednesday. The accused learnt to snatch phones by watching videos on social media, the police said.
Kamakshi, 35, of Tiruvottiyur was walking through the Kaladipet Market when two young men followed her on a scooter.The man riding pillion snatched her phone while the rider sped away.
Ms. Kamakshi raised an alarm and the public caught them. They were identified as Manikanadan and Rakesh Kumar. The public thrashed them and handed them over to the police.
“Rakesh Kumar is a diploma holder. The duo learnt how to snatch phones by watching videos on social media. They are first-time offenders. They had a ‘press’ sticker on their vehicle to escape from the police,” said a police officer.
In a separate incident, bike-borne thieves snatched a four-sovereign gold chain from a 69-year-old woman, Chithra, in Mandaveli on Wednesday morning.
Similarly, unknown persons snatched a handbag, containing ₹2,500 and mobile phone from a woman, Alli, 43, who was walking on R.K. Mutt Road. Police are investigating.
