Chennai Police Nab Two Chain Snatchers at Airport While Trying to Escape

Chennai, March 25 (NationPress) In a swift and coordinated operation, a special team of the Greater Chennai Police apprehended two interstate robbers at the airport on Tuesday as they tried to flee to North India after allegedly committing a series of chain-snatching crimes throughout the city and its suburbs.

The suspects, named Suraj (28) and Jafer (26) from Uttar Pradesh, are accused of targeting women in affluent regions including Adyar, Neelankarai, and along East Coast Road.

Utilizing a stolen two-wheeler, the duo is believed to have executed more than eight robberies in just two days. The arrests followed an increase in chain-snatching incidents, prompting the police to establish a special investigation team.

The breakthrough occurred when investigators traced a mobile number associated with one of the suspects, leading them to the Chennai International Airport through tower location tracking.

“These individuals operated on a fly-in, fly-out model—arriving from North India, committing crimes, and making quick escapes by air,” stated a senior police officer.

Upon receiving intelligence that the suspects were preparing to board flights to Delhi and Mumbai, police informed the staff at IndiGo and Air India.

When Suraj approached the IndiGo counter to collect his boarding pass, staff became suspicious and quickly notified the police, resulting in his detention.

Jafer was intercepted in a similar manner at the Air India counter shortly after.

During interrogation, both men admitted to snatching gold chains worth lakhs of rupees and confessed to using a stolen motorcycle in their operations.

Police recovered numerous gold chains and the vehicle, confirming their involvement in at least eight reported cases.

The Adyar Police, under whose jurisdiction most of the crimes occurred, have taken custody of the suspects for further investigation.

While the arrests have provided relief to residents, authorities remain worried about interstate criminals exploiting air travel for rapid getaways.

“This case highlights the necessity for better coordination between airlines and law enforcement agencies,” remarked an airport official.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that a recent surge in chain-snatching incidents targeting six women had raised alarms in areas such as Adyar, Saidapet, Kotturpuram, Shastri Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, and Velachery. These brazen daylight crimes were executed with remarkable precision, with the suspects escaping on a two-wheeler after snatching gold chains from unsuspecting victims.

Reports indicate that the robbers approached their targets under the guise of asking for directions or assistance before swiftly grabbing their chains and fleeing.

Police believe the same duo was responsible for these incidents, and CCTV footage from the crime scenes is currently being scrutinized to assess whether they are repeat offenders or part of a larger organized gang.

Special police teams have been dispatched to patrol affected neighborhoods, focusing on tracing the registration details of the stolen motorcycle. Forensic experts are also analyzing evidence collected from various crime scenes.

Residents, especially women, have been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. Police have registered multiple cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and are collaborating with other stations to prevent further crimes.