Chennai police bust female gang of thieves

This gang targeted only the elderly women at spots such as bus, auto stands. They would coax victims to board autorickshaws with them on the pretext that buses would be delayed.

Chennai: The police arrested a gang of seven women thieves who conned several elderly women under broad daylight.

Police arrested the gang after identifying the perpetrators in CCTV surveillance cameras. The police say that women used to steal gold and cash from victims after diverting their attention.

Chennai City Police Commissioner Mahesh Kumar Agarwal ordered the arrest after receiving several similar complaints from various places in North Chennai. Based on this Joint Commissioner (North) V Balakrishnan formed a special team to nab the gang.

Based on CCTV footage and a previous the criminal records, police arrested seven women who were identified as K Rani (28), R Thilaga (31), V Rajamani (49), K Maria (33), Lakshmi (40), Usha (34) and S Irakki Ammal (27) all hailing from Thoothukudi district.

The police recovered 200 grams of gold and Rs 10,000 in cash from the women.

Over 15 incidents of theft of gold and cash were reported in Thiruvottiyur, New Washermenpet, RK Nagar, Villivakkam, Esplanade, Flower Bazaar, Basin Bridge and Egmore police stations.

This gang targeted only the elderly women at spots such as bus, auto stands. They would coax victims to board autorickshaws with them on the pretext that buses would be delayed.

When the victim boards the share auto, the thieves would execute their plan and make away with stolen jewels or cash.