Two held for stealing mobile phones on trains

The Government Railway Police apprehended two members of a gang of four, who allegedly snatched or stole over 200 mobiles on trains and at railway stations.

The police recovered about a dozen mobile phones worth over ₹1.5 lakh from them.

A hunt is on for two other members.

“There were a number of complaints from passengers about mobile snatching and thefts on trains. Finally, we nabbed two persons,” said R. Thomas Jesudasan, Inspector, Government Railway Police, Central Railway Station.

The suspects were identified as Anthony Kumar, 35, of Srivilliputhur, and his accomplice Christy, 22, of Malappuram.

They usually snatched or stole mobiles when the train halts or leaves the station. After snatching the phones, they would disappear into the crowd getting out of trains or waiting outside unreserved compartments.

“If they are caught, they used blades hidden inside their mouth to cut themselves. This would leave the passengers shocked and the suspects would run away. They have been evading the police for long,” said the officer.

With Tirupati as their base, they travelled by bus to Chennai and after the robbery they always took a bus back. They never used the train for travel.

On Wednesday, it was not the police but members of the public who caught them. When they were assaulting them, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) took the duo into custody.

They were handed over to the Government Railway Police for further investigation. They have been remanded in judicial custody.