Bengaluru: Two friends turn chain-snatchers to make easy money

BENGALURU: They turned thick friends while playing cricket and dreamt of becoming famous some day. The youths, aged 19, wanted expert guidance to improve their skills, but had little desire to work hard. Hoping to make a quick buck, they allegedly took to chain-snatching and vehicle-lifting. But the duo soon ran out of luck and landed in the custody of Jayanagar police.

Naveen Shetty alias Naveen and Bala Kumar, both residents of Lingarajapuram, east Bengaluru, are allegedly involved in one vehicle theft and 21 chain-snatching cases reported in the past eight months. Police have recovered booty worth Rs 27 lakh from them.

BK Singh, additional commissioner of police (west), said Naveen and Bala visited a cricket coaching facility near Shivajinagar and learnt that they would have to shell out Rs 30,000 as annual fee, besides needing more money to buy sports kits. They approached their friend, Sagai, seeking financial assistance. Sagai straightaway led the duo into the world of crime.

“Sagai told them that he would teach them how to make easy money, took them to Charles Play Ground and demonstrated how to snatch chain from women. He trained them on how to snatch a chain while on a moving bike, besides other things,” Singh said.

The duo chose south Bengaluru as their target area as Naveen had stayed there for several years with his family and was well-versed with the locality. They stole a scooter from Jayanagar 9th Block and used it to commit offences. “We’re looking for Sagai,” Singh added.

SD Sharanappa, deputy commissioner of police (south), said Naveen and Kumar studied together in a private school in Tumakuru.

The two cricket enthusiasts became friends after they met in Kariyannana Palya ground. Kumar quit studies after Class 10 and worked as an assistant to a cook and later became a dish TV salesman. Naveen dropped out after flunking Class 12 and worked as an autorickshaw driver to help his father.

“Naveen and Kumar forgot their aim of becoming cricketers after they started committing offences and began using the money to lead a lavish life. They got addicted to alcohol and splurged on clothes, shoes and other fashion accessories,” police said.