Date:11/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101159820400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Four arrested for jewellery theft

Special Correspondent

A two-wheeler was recovered

CHENNAI: The Virugambakkam police have arrested four persons, including a woman, from Kovalam in connection with the theft of 23 sovereigns of gold jewellery and mobiles phones from women in Valasaravakkam and Virugambakkam areas.

According to police, Salim alias Tony Vinodh (35), Muhammed Wazir (30), Shakeena Begum alias Shanu (28), of Ennore and Kaalasha (24) of Tiruttani, were arrested, based on a complaint from Chinnamma, an employee of New Trend Beauty Parlour in Valasaravakkam.

Chinnamma was allegedly attacked by Wazir who went to the parlour for a facial. In another incident, the accused, posed as looking for a house for rent, and had attacked a woman in Sornambigai Nagar, Virugambakkam. They had robbed her at knife point and escaped with a three-sovereign gold chain. Both these cases were registered in the respective police stations three months ago.

In an unrelated incident, police picked up Wazir from Kovalam for questioning.

During interrogation, he admitted to various chain-snatching incidents in the Virugambakkam and Valasaravakkam areas.

T. Nagar Deputy Commissioner of Police M. Muthu Saamy said the accused were wanted in four chain-snatching incidents and two robberies. A two-wheeler was recovered from them. There are also several cases registered against them in the Pallikaranai and Madipakkam areas. The accused came from Sri Lanka in 1989 and have since then obtained Indian citizenship, Mr. Muthu Saamy said. They had taken to robbery and theft because of unemployment.