CHENNAI: A head constable from the Kilpauk traffic
police nabbed a chain snatcher despite breaking his arm during a dramatic chase on the streets of
Vepery on Friday evening.
The cop B
Vijayakumar, 45, a resident of Purasaiwalkam, was on his way home after finishing his duty at 6pm when he spotted two men on a Pulsar bike slow down next to a woman engrossed in a phone conversation on Letangs Road in Vepery.
The duo snatched a three-sovereign gold chain from the woman, identified as Nagamani, 30, of Nellore, and sped away. Police said Nagamani had stepped out for a cup of tea after visiting her ailing father-in-law at a private hospital in the neighbourhood.
Unaware that Vijayakumar was in hot pursuit, the men sped through two signals but were forced to come to a halt at a red light near Poonamallee High Road. Vijayakumar caught up with them at the signal and removed the key from their bike in a flash, said an investigating officer.
The duo then dropped the two-wheeler and bolted on foot. Vijayakumar also broke into a run and grabbed the collar of one of the men. However, they attacked him with a sharp weapon and scaled the median.
Vijayakumar fractured his arm while jumping over the median but managed to catch hold of one of the men who was identified as Arun, 19. The chain was recovered from his possession, said a police officer.
Although the other man Haroon, 23, managed to get away, he was arrested in Pudupet on Saturday based on information provided by Arun. Police said Arun is a previous offender with several cases against his name in Kilpauk and Choolai.
Vijayakumar, a 19-year veteran in the police department, told TOI that the pain from the fracture was more than compensated by the satisfaction of having nabbed one of the men.
Chennai city police commissioner A K
Viswanathan and senior police officials from the traffic department lauded him for his effort.
B Vijayakumar
