East District Police in New Delhi arrested two alleged chain snatchers and recovered a gold-like chain along with a stolen motorcycle on 3 May 2026, following a swift response to a PCR call in the Madhu Vihar area, officials said on Tuesday. The suspects were intercepted on the spot after a brief chase by a dedicated anti-snatching team operating under Police Station Madhu Vihar.

How the Arrests Unfolded

The incident was reported near the BSES Office, opposite Singla Sweets in Madhu Vihar. Upon receiving the PCR call, Sub-Inspector P. Buno and Constable Awneesh rushed to the scene. Simultaneously, Head Constable Sachin Tyagi and Head Constable Arun, who were on routine patrol duty, spotted two suspects fleeing on a motorcycle immediately after the crime.

The patrolling officers gave chase and managed to intercept and overpower both individuals after a brief pursuit. A cursory search led to the recovery of the snatched gold-like chain from their possession. The motorcycle used in the crime, bearing a Delhi registration number, was subsequently found to be linked to a stolen vehicle e-FIR registered at Police Station Mandawali under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Who Was Arrested

The accused were identified as Shivam alias Bachkana (23) and Kunal (23), both residents of West Vinod Nagar in East Delhi. A case — FIR No. 138/2026 dated 3 May 2026 — was registered at Police Station Madhu Vihar under appropriate BNS sections.

During interrogation, both accused allegedly confessed to involvement in at least four chain-snatching cases in the Madhu Vihar and Pandav Nagar areas after being released from jail, according to police. Officials described both as habitual offenders with prior criminal records.

Criminal Histories of the Accused

According to police, Shivam alias Bachkana is reportedly linked to five previous cases, including theft, snatching, robbery, and offences under the Arms Act, registered across the Madhu Vihar and Pandav Nagar police stations. Kunal carries an even longer record, allegedly involved in eight cases of theft and snatching registered at multiple police stations — including Madhu Vihar, Anand Vihar, Mandawali, Preet Vihar, Krishna Nagar, and Laxmi Nagar. Both accused are school dropouts and are reported to be drug addicts, police added.

The Anti-Snatching Drive Behind the Arrest

The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown by the East District Police on rising street crime, particularly theft and snatching. A dedicated team had been constituted under the leadership of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Madhu Vihar and under the close supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Madhu Vihar. The team comprised Sub-Inspector P. Buno, Head Constable Sachin Tyagi, Head Constable Arun, and Constable Awneesh.

This comes amid a broader pattern of repeat offenders returning to street crime shortly after release from custody — a challenge that Delhi Police have flagged repeatedly in recent months. Further investigation is underway to determine the duo's involvement in additional cases and to identify any possible associates.