Housewife takes to chain snatching to lead fancy lifestyle, arrested

THANE: A housewife from Mumbra who had reportedly taken to chain snatching in Mumbai locals to lead a fancy lifestyle since the last two years ran out of luck and was arrested by the Thane railway police before she could target her next victim recently.
The 28-year-old woman who lives in a middle-class society in Mumbra had taken to chain snatching to earn a quick buck as her husband, who works in Dubai, refused to entertain her demands. The woman loved to flaunt good clothes and ornaments. In her statement, she told the police that her husband used to send money which was only enough to meet their daily needs and children’s education. This was not enough for her and so she took to the crime.

“The woman told us that she has been carrying out chain snatchings since the last two years. The accused told us she picked up the nuances from another woman who used to carry out such activities on the Western line and get away with it easily. The accused was so impressed by the way the other woman used to commit the crime that she took it up as a profession,” said Rajendra Shirtode, senior inspector with the Thane railway police.

The woman was arrested last week after the police laid a trap for her, following rising complaints of chain snatching from commuters in Thane suburban section. The Thane police, along with the crime branch, intensified their network which led them to the accused. The woman used to pose as an office-goer and board crowded trains. After identifying her victims she would stealthily whisk away their ornaments, the official said.

“We scanned CCTV footage that we received from a few stations where such crimes were committed. Through them, we came across the accused. We laid a trap and arrested her. She used to steal ornaments and sell it to her aide in Mumbra who runs a small-time jewellery shop. We have recovered nearly Rs 1.35 lakh worth ornaments,” said police sub-inspector Hatekar from the Thane railway police.

The accused was arrested under Section 379 of the IPC.