Three arrested on charge of chain-snatching

The Hassan police have succeeded in cracking three chain-snatching cases by arresting three persons in the city on Sunday.

Valuables, including gold chains worth Rs. 6.46 lakh, were recovered from the arrested, identified as Santhosh (28), of Hemavati Nagar, Preetham (19), of Rangoli Halla, and Lokhit (26), of Hoseline Road, in Hassan.

The Superintendent of Police R.K. Shahapurwad, speaking to presspersons on Sunday, said in 2016, as many as 20 chain-snatching cases were reported in Hassan city. With the arrest of three persons, the police had cleared all the cases reported last year. “The accused were wanted in six chain-snatching cases and four bike theft cases. We have recovered 162 gm of gold jewellery worth Rs. 4.86 lakh, besides three two-wheelers,” he said.

He said that in the last 15 days, three chain-snatching cases had been reported in Hassan. In one of the cases, an inter-State group was allegedly involved. “The same group is reported to be involved in similar cases in other districts including Shivamogga,” he said.

CCTV cameras

As of now, the police have installed closed-circuit TV cameras at 29 venues in the city. “We have submitted a proposal for CCTV cameras in 15 more places. Besides this, we are hoping to get public cooperation in getting more CCTV cameras in the city. Almost all business establishments on B.M. Road in Hassan have installed CCTV cameras. If a crime is committed on this road, we are sure of getting clues early. I wish private people in other places also extend similar cooperation,” he said.