Three chain snatchers held

COIMBATORE: The city police have detained three people hailing from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh for chain snatching at Cheran Maa Nagar on Monday. According to police, the mastermind behind these crimes travelled across the country by flight to collect the stolen properties from accomplices.
The people he recruited travelled by train from Bhopal to various parts of the country, taking their motorcycle along with fake registration numbers.
On Monday evening, 60-year-old Kalyani, wife of Kanagaraj, a retired tahsildar from Government Employees Nagar at Cheran Maa Nagar had gone on foot to a grocery shop in the neighbourhood. Two persons suddenly snatched a seven-sovereign gold chain from her neck. She informed city police officials who immediately ordered vehicle checks at posts across the city. Kalyani told police that the culprit had been wearing a red shirt and was riding a black bike.
An anti-chain snatching squad from Singanallur police station conducted a vehicle check in the neighbourhood. During patrol, a pillion motorcycle rider began making his escape when he spotted police personnel. The officials gave chase and eventually picked him up. He told police that two of his accomplices were at the Coimbatore railway junction ready to board a train bound for Kerala. A police team rushed to the junction and detained them.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the trio hail from Bhopal and they have been identified as Murtaza Ali (29), Kasim Ali (20) and Kabir Ali (22). Muraza Ali was the leader of the gang. He confessed to the crime, revealing his modus operandi. He had come to Coimbatore a few days ago and resided with his accomplices in a lodge. On Monday morning, they had gone to Tirupur in motorcycles and indulged in chain snatching. Police officials said that they have been grilled and will be produced before the court on Wednesday.
Two gang members, Sabir Ali and Abrar Ali, are absconding. Police sources said Sabir Ali has been involved in several chain snatching cases in Coimbatore. He returned to Bhopal and came back to the city with an entire team of accomplices including Murtaza Ali.